Biomedical subjects

K T Finnegan

Publications and source records attributed to K T Finnegan.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1987

1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-1-methyl-4-(methylpyrrol-2-yl)pyridine: studies on the mechanism of action of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

Two analogs of the nigrostriatal neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were examined for their deleterious effects on nigrostriatal neurons. 1,2,3,6-Tetrahydro-1-methyl-4-(methylpyrrol-2-yl)pyridine (TMMP), but not 1-methyl-4-(1-methylpyrrol-2-yl)-4-piperidinol, caused persistent depletion of striatal dopamine and induced histologic evidence of nerve terminal degeneration in mice. These findings differ diametrically from results previously reported for the two analogs. TMMP produced larger dopamine depletions than MPTP when the two drugs were given in equivalent doses. Further experiments demonstrated that TMMP is preferentially oxidized by mouse brain monoamine oxidase B to a water-soluble compound, most likely the pyridinium ion species. Prior treatment of mice with either the monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline or the dopamine reuptake inhibitor bupropion blocked the ability of TMMP to deplete striatal dopamine. Thus, the pharmacologic profile of TMMP closely resembles that of MPTP. That TMMP and MPTP induce dopamine depletions by a similar mechanism tends to support the proposed neurochemical sequence of events thought to lead to the expression of MPTP-induced neurotoxicity. The authors' observations provide further evidence that MPTP is not unique in its capability to damage nigrostriatal neurons.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

PubMed1982

Altered sensitivity to d-methylamphetamine, apomorphine, and haloperidol in rhesus monkeys depleted of caudate dopamine by repeated administration of d-methylamphetamine.

The long-term neurochemical and behavioral effects of repeated d-methylamphetamine (d-MA) administration were investigated using four male rhesus monkeys trained to lever-press for food on a DRL-40s schedule of reinforcement. Dose-response curves for d-MA (0.0625-2.0 mg/kg), apomorphine (0.025-0.4 mg/kg), and haloperidol (0.005-0.04 mg/kg) on responding showed that repeated d-MA administration (0.5-16.0 mg/kg/day) decreased sensitivity to d-MA and to apomorphine but increased sensitivity to haloperidol. At 3-6 months after the last injection of d-MA, a 48.1% decrease in caudate dopamine (DA) was observed, with the frontal cortex, midbrain, and pons-medulla showing no significant change. A trend toward increasing concentrations of norepinephrine was noted in the same brain areas, but only in the frontal cortex did this change reach significance. Specific binding of 3H-spiroperidol to caudate membrane preparations was not changed, while the Vmax of the caudate DA re-uptake process declined 32%, with no change in Km. These results suggest that exposure of DA neurons in the caudate nucleus to high concentrations of d-MA can lead to nerve terminal degeneration.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Phencyclidine-induced rotational behavior in rats with nigrostriatal lesions and its modulation by dopaminergic and cholinergic agents.

The peripheral administration of the psychotomimetic drug phencyclidine (1-(phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine hydrochloride) (PCP) induces a dose-related ipsilateral rotation in unilateral substantia nigra electrolytically-lesioned rats. The intensity of this rotation can be modulated by administration of various dopaminergic and cholinergic agents. Injection of alpha-methylparatyrosine methylester (125 mg/kg) or haloperidol (1 mg/kg) inhibited the ipsilateral circling behavior. Pimozide (1 mg/kg) also inhibitied the rotation, but to a lesser extent. The injection of the anticholinergic agent trihexyphenidyl (5 mg/kg) potentiated, and the cholinomimetic drug arecoline (5 mg/kg), depressed the rotation induced by PCP (7.5 mg/kg), It is probable that PCP possesses significant dopaminergic and anticholinergic properties. The capacity of PCP to induce rotation in this model may be related to its effects on dopaminergic and cholingergic neurons in the rat striatum. Thus, PCP may induce rotational behavior by potentiating dopaminergic transmission, by blocking cholinergic activity, or both; both of these effects have been demonstrated to be important in the generation of circling behavior in rats with nigrostriatal lesions.

Animals↗