Disclosed are methods and compositions for an animal model of Parkinsons disease. In particular, disclosed is the use of antisense compounds to inhibit the expression of ALDH1A1 in the substantia nigra of an animal brain for the purpose of creating an animal that will displays the symptoms of a human with Parkinsons Disease, including various biochemical, histological, and behavioral characteristics. Also disclosed are methods for using the animal model for Parkinsons disease to test potential therapeutic agents for Parkinsons disease.
