Basal ganglia–basic research

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 678 KB
• Volume: 7
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-3185
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.870070531

✦ Synopsis

The neurotoxin MPTP destroys dopamine neurons in human and nonhuman primates. However, MPTP is less toxic in mice, suggesting that it may be metabolized differently among species. Herein, we report the effects of MPTP on the levels of catecholamines and their metabolites and on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in chick embryo brains. Administration of 0.8 to 80 mM MPTP causes significant reduction in catecholamine levels and TH activity in a dosedependent manner. To a lesser extent, serotonin and 5-HIAA are also reduced after MPTP administration. These findings further support our preliminary data indicating that the chick embryo is a good animal model for MPTP studies which is inexpensive and easy to handle.