MPTP produces a pattern of nigrostriatal degeneration which coincides with the mosaic organization of the caudate nucleus.

In the normal dog we have found that cholinesterase and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) histochemistry define a mosaic structure of the caudate nucleus that is similar to that described in other species. To determine if nigrostriatal afferents interlocked with this mosaic we injected dogs with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a toxin specific to dopaminergic nigrostriatal cells. Alternate sections in the caudate nucleus stained for acetylcholinesterase, TH, and terminal degeneration revealed that the areas of densest degeneration were localized to the matrix, thereby outlining areas of much lighter degeneration which were coincident with the patches. This pattern of terminal degeneration suggests the existence of subcomponents of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway, at least one of which might be selectively vulnerable to MPTP.