Moreover, genetic deletion of xCT was neuroprotective in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) mouse model of PD, as evidenced by decreased nigral cell loss following intra-striatal administration of the dopaminergic toxin in adult and aged xCT knock-out (xCT–/–) mice vs. age-matched wild-type (xCT+/+) littermates (Massie et al., 2011). Here, SLC7A11 is linked to Parkinson disease.