This suggests that the Nurr1 mutant mouse may be a potential animal model for studies on some of the behavioral and molecular mechanisms underlying schizophrenia.
Our data indicate that Nurr1 plays an important role in the functional maintenance and survival of nigral DAergic neurons and suggest that the Nurr1+/- mouse is a useful animal model to study the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD) and to explore disease-modifying strategies.
Our results demonstrate a selective and specific deficit of DA and absence of DAergic neurons in the mesencephalic structures of Nurr1-deficient mice, which resembles the pattern similar to that seen in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).