Inhibition of MAO B, but not MAO A, blocks DSP-4 toxicity on central NE neurons
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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Gene-environment Interaction Models to Unmask Susceptibility Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: January 7, 2014
1Department of Pathology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Abstract:
The neurotoxin, DSP-4, (N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride) specifically and significantly reduces norepinephrine (NE) and its metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG), in cortical, hippocampal and cerebellar brain regions. Pretreatment with the selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) B inhibitor, deprenyl, and the non-specific MAO inhibitor, pargyline, effectively blocked NE depletion. Pretreatment with the selective MAO A inhibitor, clorgyline, had no effect on central NE DSP-4 toxicity. Thus formation of a toxic metabolite by the action of MAO B may be involved in DSP-4 induced neural damage.
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