ELECTROCHEMICAL OXIDATIONS OF CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM INDOLEAMINES, CATECHOLAMINES AND ALKALOIDS - POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANCE INTO NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

The serotonergic neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), the cate cholaminergic neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) and various tetrahydroiso quinoline (TIQ) and tetrahydro-beta-carboline (THbetaC) alkaloids are all easily oxidized compounds. Aberrant oxidative transformations of 5 -HT and other central indoles might be involved in neurodegenerative A lzheimer's Disease (AD). Changes in the oxidation chemistry of DA appe ar to be fundamental in substantia nigra neurons in Parkinson's Diseas e (PD). Various TIQ and THbetaC alkaloids are elevated in the brain as a result of ethanol drinking. Recent studies into the electrochemical oxidation chemistry of 5-HT, DA and various TIQ and THbetaC alkaloids have been reviewed. The potential roles of the oxidation chemistry of these compounds in neurodegenerative AD, PD and alcoholism are discus sed.