An Overview of Commonly Used Rodent Models for Studying PD-Related GI Dysfunction

Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is a common issue in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Symptoms including dysphagia, bloating, and constipation, with constipation often reported decades before motor symptoms appear. Pathologically, alpha-synuclein (aSyn) accumulation has been reported in the neurons of the GI system, as well as morphology- and activity-based changes of the enteric nervous system (ENS), microbial dysbiosis, and increased gut permeability. In this overview document from the Preclinical Tools and Models Team at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF), you will find a summary of models that display GI dysfunction. Please note, this list is not comprehensive.