Studies on the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-dihydropyridinium species 2,3-MPDP+, the monoamine oxidase catalyzed oxidation product of the nigrostriatal toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm00148a010

The nigrostriatal toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is biotransformed by brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) to an unstable dihydropyridinium intermediate that reacts with cyanide ion to form an α-cyanotetrahydropyridine adduct and, in t