MPTP
Agent Name
MPTP
CAS Number
28289-54-5
Formula
C12-H15-N
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Synonyms
1,2,3,6-Tetrahydro-1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine; 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; MPTP; N-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Pyridines
Description
Crystals; [HSDB]
Sources/Uses
A contaminant produced during the synthesis of MPPP, a synthetic heroin; it causes irreversible parkinsonism in primates and is used in research laboratories; MPTP is converted to the toxic metabolite MPP+ in the brain where it selectively destroys cells in the substantia nigra. [Merck Index #6294]
Comments
The toxic effects of MPTP were discovered in 1982 when several injection drug users in San Jose, California developed "frozen addict" syndrome within a week of using MPPP contaminated with MPTP. The syndrome resembled idiopathic Parkinson disease, and patients showed some improvement after treatment with L-dopa. [Ford, p. 634-5] MPTP does not cause occupational parkinsonism, but it causes acute parkinsonism in humans and experimental animals after injection. The cumulative doses in animals are in the range of 1.5 to 410 mg/kg depending on the species. [See Reference #1}
Reference Link #1
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
0.00945 mm Hg
Explanatory Notes
VP from ChemIDplus;
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Parkinsonism
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.