Catecholamine-uptake inhibitors prevent the neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in mouse brain.

Male albino mice were injected subcutaneously with 50 mg/kg of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Seven days after administration, the striatal levels of dopamine(DA) and its metabolites were markedly reduced, as was the cortical level of noradrenaline (NA). Pretreatment with the selective inhibitor of DA uptake, GBR 13098, selectively and totally prevented the reduction of DA and its metabolites, whereas the selective inhibitor of NA uptake, maprotiline, selectively protected against NA depletion. The unselective inhibitors of DA and NA uptake, mazindol and nomifensine, prevented the MPTP-induced depletion of both DA and NA.