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NINDS/UCLA Repository for Parkinson's Disease Mouse Models

One of the most immediate and important benefits of discoveries regarding the genetic or environmental causes of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the subsequent development of animal models wherein therapeutic and/or preventative interventions may be studied. The widespread availability of such models is critically important to making progress against a disorder that affects more than 500,000 Americans at any given time.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) fully recognizes the burden placed on investigators by the financial and logistical realities of distributing high demand research resources. Some investigators have deposited their mice with national distribution facilities but many mouse models are not available through such resources. Developing means to facilitate greater sharing of mouse models of PD is one of the goals developed by the PD research community at the July 2002 summit meeting convened by the NIH Director (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/research/parkinsonsweb/matrix_2003_all.htm). Accordingly, as part of the effort to accelerate PD research, NINDS and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) created a resource that will distribute transgenic mouse models of human PD that are not yet available through national commercial resources. Investigators who are willing to share mice with the PD research community can simply arrange with NINDS to have the mice deposited at UCLA and investigators desiring to study the mice may arrange with NINDS to obtain two breeding pairs. The process will use Material Transfer Agreements created specifically for this arrangement.

The following represents a flowchart of the process for submitting or requesting animals:

Information for depositors

Investigators who are willing to share mice with the PD research community through this resource should send an email to PDMice@ninds.nih.gov describing the mouse. The submission will be reviewed by the PD Models Repository Oversight Committee and, if accepted, a copy of the MTA will be sent by return email. NINDS is most interested in distributing mice that have been characterized in a peer-reviewed publication, but other models will certainly be considered. The email should describe the following:

1. The protocol for identification from tail DNA.
2. The health report of the mice to be shipped (the report has to be less than 2 months old).
3. Information about the strain and any special needs for care and breeding.
4. Information about any publications involving the mice
5. Certification that mice are not encumbered by continuing intellectual property or other rights to any research, data or discovery utilizing the animals.

Information for consumers

Investigators desiring to study the mice available through the repository should send a request via email to PDMice@ninds.nih.gov. Requests will be reviewed by the PD Models Repository Oversight Committee and priority will be determined on a first come, first served basis; two breeding pairs will typically be shipped to any single requestor. As detailed in the MTA, mice are not available for commercial research, including but not limited to drug screening. Neither the creator nor UCLA have a role in the governance of the Repository, and specifically, cannot impose conditions upon availability or distribution. It is anticipated that until the Repository is in a mode of steady state production, requests will be collected and mice distributed as supply allows. The email requesting mice should include:

1. A brief description of the protocol
2. Either a copy of the IACUC approval letter or number

Questions about this resource may be addressed to Dr. Lorenzo Refolo at PDMice@ninds.nih.gov.

Mice Currently Available

Descriptions of other animal models of Parkinson's disease may be found at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/research/parkinsonsweb/amr/index.htm

Last updated October 04, 2006