Animal Models of Freezing of Gait.

Abstract

Increasing research efforts in recent years and new approaches in clinical studies provided significant insights into the pathophysiology of freezing of gait (FOG). However, the study of causative mechanisms for complex gait disorders typically needs refined in vivo models, which are still lacking for FOG. The characteristics of FOG pose major difficulties not only for reproduction in animals with different types of gaits but also for assessment of such episodic behavior in the animal environment. In this review, we examine the currently available animal models of FOG and FOG-like phenomena for their validity and applicability and present a prospective view of modeling based on novel technologies to manipulate integrated mechanisms.