The MPTP-Treated Primate, with Specific Reference to the Use of the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

For investigations into treatment of Parkinson’s disease, the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated primate has become one of the most important and established animal models. Various species of both Old and New world primate have been used, employing differing MPTP-treatment regimes and methods for the assessment of motor deficits and motor complications. In this chapter, we briefly review the use of these varying models and treatment regimes, the effects of MPTP treatment and the general characteristics and drug response of the primate model. In detail, we describe the procedures we employ for MPTP treating the common marmoset including the specific welfare, husbandry and aftercare protocols that are essential to produce a successful model. We also describe the methods for inducing the expression of persistent dyskinesia and how to accurately assess changes in locomotor activity, motor disability and the severity of dyskinesia.