Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Single low doses of MPTP decrease tyrosine hydroxylase expression in the absence of overt neuron loss.

Gelareh Alam1, Melissa Edler1, Shelbie Burchfield1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, United States.

Neurotoxicology
|April 6, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A 3D Human Neuron-on-Chip Platform to Monitor Neuronal Injury Responses.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Mechanism of auranofin toxicity: Inhibition of tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism.

Toxicology and applied pharmacology·2026
Same author

Peripheral TARC (CCL17) Levels Track Widespread Microstructural Vulnerability in Cognitively Unimpaired Older African Americans.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026
Same author

Prenatal Pesticide Exposure and Early Alzheimer Disease-Related Biomarker and Cognitive Changes in Midlife.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026
Same author

Biomarkers.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2026
Same author

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association·2025

A single high dose of MPTP caused significant dopamine neuron loss in mice. Lower doses affected tyrosine hydroxylase expression, not neuron count, highlighting the need for accurate assessment in Parkinson's disease research.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Toxicology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases

Background:

  • Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common age-related neurodegenerative disorder.
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is used to model PD, inducing dopamine neuron loss.
  • Previous studies used multiple MPTP doses, but recent findings suggest single low doses may also cause damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of a single MPTP dose on dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc).
  • To differentiate between actual neuron loss and changes in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression.
  • To establish accurate methods for assessing MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in PD models.

Main Methods:

  • Mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of MPTP at doses of 0.1, 2, or 20mg/kg.
Keywords:
DopamineDopamine transporterMPTPStereologyTyrosine hydroxylaseVesicular monoamine transporter

Related Experiment Videos

  • Unbiased stereological counting was used to quantify tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH+) and Nissl-positive (total) neurons in the SNc.
  • Striatal dopamine levels and terminal markers (TH, DAT) were measured.

    • Main Results:

    • A significant loss of both TH+ and Nissl+ neurons occurred only at the 20mg/kg MPTP dose.
    • Lower MPTP doses (0.1 and 2mg/kg) resulted in a significant loss of TH+ neurons but not total neurons.
    • Striatal dopamine and DAT levels decreased significantly only at the 20mg/kg dose.

    Conclusions:

    • Single low doses of MPTP may reduce TH expression without causing actual dopamine neuron death.
    • Accurate assessment of MPTP-induced neurotoxicity requires counting both total neurons and TH+ cells.
    • This study clarifies MPTP's dose-dependent effects, crucial for PD research models.