The rat rotenone model reproduces the abnormal pattern of central catecholamine metabolism found in Parkinson's disease.

The rat rotenone model involves functional abnormalities in catecholaminergic neurons that replicate the pattern found in PD putamen. These include a vesicular storage defect, decreased ALDH activity, and DOPAL buildup. The rat rotenone model provides a suitable in vivo platform for studying the catecholaldehyde hypothesis.