Numerous challenges hinder the development of neuroprotective treatments for Parkinson's disease, with a regularly identified issue being the lack of clinically relevant animal models. Viral vector overexpression of alpha-synuclein is widely considered the most relevant model; however, this has been limited by high variability and inconsistency. One potential method of optimisation is pairing it with a secondary insult such as FN075, a synthetic molecule demonstrated to accelerate alpha-synucleinopathy. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate if sequential infusion of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-alpha-synuclein and FN075 into the rat brain can replicate alpha-synucleinopathy, nigrostriatal pathology and motor dysfunction associated with Parkinson's disease. Rats received a unilateral injection of AAV-alpha-synuclein (or AAV-green fluorescent protein) into two sites in the substantia nigra, followed 4 weeks later by unilateral injection of FN075 (or vehicle) into the striatum. Animals underwent behavioural testing every 4 weeks until sacrifice at 20 weeks, followed by immunohistochemistry assessment post-mortem. As anticipated, AAV-alpha-synuclein led to extensive overexpression of human alpha-synuclein throughout the nigrostriatal pathway, as well as elevated levels of phosphorylated and aggregated forms of the protein. However, the sequential administration of FN075 into the striatum did not exacerbate any of the alpha-synuclein pathology. Furthermore, despite the extensive alpha-synuclein pathology, neither administration of AAV-alpha-synuclein nor FN075, alone or in combination, was sufficient to induce dopaminergic degeneration or motor deficits. In conclusion, this approach did not replicate the key characteristics of Parkinson's disease, and further studies are required to create more representational models for testing of novel compounds and treatments for Parkinson's disease.
