L-dopa reverses the effects of MPP+ toxicity

The behavioral and neurochemical consequences of the intrastriatal administration of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), the toxic metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), were evaluated using the shuttlebox avoidance paradigm. MPP+ caused a significant depletion of striatal dopamine and significant disruption of shuttlebox performance. L-Dopa administration reversed both the dopamine depletion and the behavioral deficits. These observations are discussed in reference to the rodent-MPTP model of Parkinson's disease.