L-DOPA NEUROTOXICITY IS MEDIATED BY GLUTAMATE RELEASE IN CULTURED RATSTRIATAL NEURONS

The exposure of cultured rat striatal neurons to L-DOPA caused marked cell death. The L-DOPA cytotoxicity was inhibited by the addition of M g2+ to and by the removal of Ca2+ from the culture medium, and also by the application of tetrodotoxin. Moreover, prolonged application of L -DOPA increased the glutamate content in the culture medium. These res ults indicate that L-DOPA produces neurotoxicity by facilitating gluta mate release. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.