Dopamine but not norepinephrine or serotonin uptake inhibitors protect mice against neurotoxicity of MPTP.

Combined administration of nomifensine, a DA reuptake inhibitor, and MPTP completely prevented the long-term (30 days post-treatment) striatal DA depletions induced by MPTP in mice. Cotreatment with desipramine and clomipramine or fluoxetine, inhibitors of NE and 5-HT, respectively had no effect on DA neurotoxicity of MPTP. The findings indicate that MPTP (or MPP+) is a substrate for the specific DA reuptake system and may explain, in part, its selective toxic effects on DA neurons.