We have previously shown that dopamine depletion reduces striatal damage el
icited by the mitochondrial neurotoxins malonate and 3-nitropropionic acid
(3NP). Metabolism of dopamine by monoamine oxidase results in the formation
of hydrogen peroxide, which may mediate dopamine toxicity. In this study,
administration of the monoamine oxidase inhibitors clorgyline and deprenyl
resulted in a 42% and 75% reduction in lesion volumes in malonate- and 3NP-
treated animals, respectively, compared to controls. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie
nce B.V. All rights reserved.