Category: Parkinson's Disease (Other)
Objective: Catalepsy measurements play a crucial role in behavioral research on Parkinson’s disease (PD), as they reflect significant motor impairments associated with dopaminergic dysfunction. In rodent models, catalepsy is characterized by the inability to correct an abnormal posture, commonly assessed using the bar test. In this test, the time required to adjust posture serves as an indicator of cataleptic severity.
Background: The rotenone-induced PD model is widely used to replicate the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to motor deficits that resemble those observed in human PD. This study aimed to evaluate cataleptic behavior in a rotenone-induced PD model and investigate the potential neuroprotective effects of curcumin and Curcuma longa (turmeric) in mitigating motor impairments.
Method: Rats were divided into four groups: a control group receiving sunflower oil, a rotenone group receiving 2 mg/kg/day of rotenone, a curcumin + rotenone group receiving both rotenone and 200 mg/kg of curcumin for 3 weeks, and a turmeric + rotenone group receiving rotenone alongside turmeric extract (1100 mg/kg body weight) for 3 weeks. Cataleptic behavior was assessed using the bar test, with retraction time recorded as a measure of cataleptic severity.
Results: The results indicated that rotenone administration significantly prolonged retraction times in the bar test, indicating increased cataleptic severity. However, co-administration of curcumin or turmeric with rotenone led to a significant reduction in retraction times, suggesting that both compounds exert neuroprotective effects by alleviating rotenone-induced motor impairments.
Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of catalepsy measurements in PD research and highlights the therapeutic potential of curcumin and turmeric in mitigating motor dysfunction.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
L. Darbinyan, L. Hambardzumyan, K. Simonyan, V. Sarkisian, L. Manukyan. Tumeric and Curcumin Improve Motor Function and Reduce Catalepsy in a Rotenone -Induced Parkinson’s Disease Model [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/tumeric-and-curcumin-improve-motor-function-and-reduce-catalepsy-in-a-rotenone-induced-parkinsons-disease-model/. Accessed October 14, 2026.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/tumeric-and-curcumin-improve-motor-function-and-reduce-catalepsy-in-a-rotenone-induced-parkinsons-disease-model/