Taurine and MAO B binding sites in the brain of monkeys determine differing responses to MPTP administration

BACKGROUND: The inter-individual variability of subhuman primates in vulnerability to MPTP is unresolved. NEW METHOD: H]-L-deprenyl binding and performed correlative analyses. RESULTS: H]-L-deprenyl binding with GFAP single values within the four MPTP groups was found. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Instead of comparing different routes of MPTP administration, brain constituents primarily unrelated to the neurodegenerative process were compared in groups of monkeys responding differently to the neurotoxin. CONCLUSIONS: Correlative analyses of the higher taurine levels in asymptomatic and recovered and the higher MAO B levels in severely parkinsonian monkeys in the putamen with, as well as in the cortex without neurodegeneration suggest, that monkeys with less potentially neuroprotective taurine and more MPTP-bioactivating MAO B react more likely with neurodegeneration to MPTP administration.