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Maddie Waddell Posted by Maddie on Wednesday, December 01, 2010 (EST) Dopaminergic neuron regeneration in the goldfish brain: A model for Parkinson's Disease Central dopaminergic neurons play a role in the initiation of motor movements in vertebrates. Abnormalities in the functioning and signalling pathways of dopaminergic neurons can lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. A parkinsonian syndrome can be induced in fish, rodents, primates, and humans by injecting the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are injected with 50ug/g body weight MPTP and the neuroanatomical effects of MPTP are observed in the brain 4, 7, 14, 28, and 51 days after injection. More specifically, MPTP toxicity effects such as dopaminergic neuron depletion are observed in the telencephalon, the optic tectum, the midbrain, and the cerebellum using immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase and nestin as well as light microscopy. The purpose of my research project is to investigate the regenerating dopaminergic neurons in the goldfish brain following MPTP injection as well as to assess the upregulation of stem cell markers during neuronal regeneration.