SELEGILINE PROTECTS DOPAMINERGIC-NEURONS IN CULTURE FROM TOXIC FACTOR(S) PRESENT IN THE CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH PARKINSONS-DISEASE

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD ) contains substance(s) that inhibit the growth and functions of dopam inergic neurons, Furthermore, selegiline, a monoamine oxidase B (MAO) inhibitor (0.125-0.250 mu M) enhanced the number of tyrosine hydroxyla se (TH)-positive neurons, augmented the high affinity uptake of dopami ne (DA), and averted the neurotoxic effect s of CSF of PD patients on rat mesencephalic neurons in culture. The neuroprotective effects of s elegiline may be related either to its ability to inhibit MAO B, preve nting the generation of free radicals, or to neuronal rescue property due to unknown mechanisms.