MPTP
Last reviewed 09/2022
MTPT is a designer drug that was developed in an attempt to synthesize pethidine - meperidine. The use of this drug can lead to parkinsonism with associated degeneration of dopamine cells in the substantia nigra, a process identical to that seen in patients with Parkinson's disease.
The development of parkinsonism has been attributed to the toxic metabolite of MTPT, MPP+, which is produced as the result of oxidation of MPTP by monoamine oxidase in the brain, and which causes disturbance of mitochondrial oxidative function.
Other neurotoxins with similar effects to MPTP have since been identified.