Abstract
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin which produces permanent parkinsonism in human and nonhuman primates. Treatment of squirrel monkeys with pargyline, a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, prevents both clinical and neuropathological evidence of the neurotoxic effects of MPTP. Pargyline also inhibits conversion of MPTP to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), a metabolic step that occurs rapidly after administration of MPTP in animals not treated with pargyline. It is proposed that the conversion of MPTP to MPP+, possibly involving MAO, may be important for the neurotoxic effects of MPTP to take place, and MPTP itself may not be the neurotoxic agent.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
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Animals
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Brain Chemistry
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Male
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Neurons / pathology
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Pargyline / pharmacology*
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Pargyline / therapeutic use
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Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced*
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Parkinson Disease, Secondary / pathology
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Parkinson Disease, Secondary / prevention & control
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Pyridines / analysis
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Pyridines / metabolism
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Pyridines / toxicity*
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Pyridinium Compounds / analysis
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Pyridinium Compounds / metabolism
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Saimiri
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Substantia Nigra / pathology
Substances
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Pyridines
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Pyridinium Compounds
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1-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyridinium
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Pargyline
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1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine