Neurotoxic Effects of Tetrahydroisoquinolines and Underlying Mechanisms.
- Author:
Young Joon SURH
1
;
Hyun Jung KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: tetrahydroisoquinoline; neurotoxicity; cell death; reactive oxygen species; Parkinson; alcoholism
- MeSH: Alcoholism; Catechols; Cell Death; DNA Damage; Dopamine; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Reactive Oxygen Species; Tetrahydroisoquinolines; Tetrahydropapaveroline
- From:Experimental Neurobiology 2010;19(2):63-70
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), a neurotoxic tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid formed by condensation between dopamine and dopaldehyde, has been speculated to cause Parkinson's disease and also to contribute to alcohol dependence. Having two catechol moieties, THP may readily undergo oxidation to form an o-quinone intermediate with concomitant production of reactive oxygen species, which can cause neuronal cell death and DNA damage. This review will deal with the current knowledge of neurotoxic effects of this endogenous alkaloid and underlying biochemical mechanisms.
