Chronic L-deprenyl does not alter the restoration of striatal dopamine in MPTP-lesioned mice.

The present study examined the effect of chronic L-deprenyl on dopaminergic terminal function after mouse striatal terminals were lesioned with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP; 2 x 30 mg/kg s.c.). In the MPTP-lesioned mice, the level of dopamine was decreased by 59% 1 week after MPTP administration and by 22% at 16 weeks. Chronic administration of L-deprenyl (0.1 mg/kg, once weekly for up to 16 weeks) did not alter striatal dopamine metabolism, although monoamine oxidase B activity was reduced by 50% during this 16-week period, and did not alter the rate of restoration of the level of striatal dopamine.