The halogenated tetrahydro-beta-carboline "TaClo": a progressively-acting neurotoxin.
"TaClo", (1-trichloromethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline) which is structurally very similar to MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine), increases the sensitivity to apomorphine in aging rats after subchronic daily application (0.2 mg/kg i.p.) for 7 weeks. Nine weeks after the last treatment with TaClo, the running speed of the animals during spontaneous nocturnal activity was significantly diminished, and 9 months after the last injection rats developed a pronounced hypersensitivity to apomorphine (0.4 mg/kg s.c.). TaClo, which can be readily produced from endogenous tryptamine and the non-natural aldehyde chloral, appears to be a drug that is able to induce a slowly-developing neurodegenerative process.
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Department of Psychiatry, University of Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany.
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D000064:Acclimatization; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002243:Carbolines / Q000633:toxicity*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004357:Drug Synergism; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D002243:Carbolines; D009498:Neurotoxins; C009804:tryptoline; D001058:Apomorphine