We analyzed two disease model groups with rats infected by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a 90-day group and a 180-day group after JEV infection. The time measured by the modified pole test showed that motor activities in these two groups were slower than those of age-matched control groups. Striatal dopamine (DA) levels were significantly decreased in all JEV-infected rats. Norepinephrine concentration in brain regions in the 180-day group was significantly decreased in the medulla oblongata and hypothalamus as compared with the control and 90-day group. Tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons were significantly decreased in both JEV-infected rat groups. These results suggest that DA decrease and pathological changes in JEV-infected model rats persist for a long time, at least up to 180 days, and this model will be useful for the evaluation of new anti-parkinsonian agents.
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