Loss-of-function mutations in parkin are the major cause of early-onset familial Parkinson's
disease. To investigate the pathogenic mechanism by which loss of parkin function causes
Parkinson's disease, we generated a mouse model bearing a germline disruption in parkin.
Parkin–/–mice are viable and exhibit grossly normal brain morphology. Quantitative in vivo
microdialysis revealed an increase in extracellular dopamine concentration in the striatum of
parkin–/–mice. Intracellular recordings of medium-sized striatal spiny neurons showed that …