The present application describes methods for the testing of compounds of potential
usefulness as therapeutic antioxidants and/or as therapeutic free radical scavengers.
The animal model for testing such compounds is the Sod2CJE homozygous Manganese
Superoxide Dismutase-deficient mouse. When pups of these mice are treated with
certain antioxidants, they survive past about 7 days of age, and later develop
characteristic histological changes and characteristic neurobehavioral disorders.
Those treated mice can be further treated with test compounds which may or may
not cross the blood brain barrier, and the life span and physical and neurobehavioral
characteristics of those mice provide information about the potential utility of
the test compound as a therapeutic antioxidant. Phenotypes of the treated mice
allow conclusions regarding targeted areas of the brain and thus, applications
to particular disorders such as Parkinsonism.
