In vitro oxidation of MPTP by primate neural tissue: A potential model of MPTP neurotoxicity.

The compound 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) produces a parkinsonian syndrome in humans and primates. We have previously found that metabolism of MPTP to a quaternary species is necessary for the expression of its neurotoxic effects. We now report that the metabolism of MPTP occurs in primate brain tissue in vitro , and present a model of MPTP neurotoxicity which incorporates our findings to date. Since the toxicity of MPTP is metabolism dependent, we propose that the in vitro metabolism of MPTP by brain tissue should provide a useful model for studying selected aspects of MPTP neurotoxicity.