An Examination of the Biochemical and Behavioral Effects of MPTP in Two Snake Species

Details

• Personal Author:
  Barthalmus GT ; Miller DB ; Temple JG
• Description:
  The synthetic neurotoxicant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induces a Parkinsonian-like syndrome in humans and non-human primates, and also causes similar movement disorders in rodents, fish, amphibians and lizards. In this study, the behavioral and biochemical effects of MPTP were assessed in the black ratsnake Elaphe o. obsoleta and the banded watersnake Nerodia f. fasciata. We report that MPTP induces in E. o. obsoleta a depletion of norepinephrine dopamine and serotonin in fore, mid and hindbrain regions and also impedes righting ability. In N. f fasciata, norepinephrine and dopamine were also depleted by MPTP in all three brain regions, but serotonin was only significantly reduced in the forebrain and righting ability was not affected. This study demonstrates a behavioral and biochemical sensitivity to MPTP in E. o. obsoleta that differs from that in N. f. fasciata. This novel reptilian model is beneficial for assessing central dopaminergic and serotonergic involvement in motor control in the lower vertebrates. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Animals Behavior Biochemistry Hazardous Substances Laboratories Mental Disorders Nervous System Occupational Health Safety Toxicology
• Keywords:
  Animal-studies Behavioral-disorders Behavioral-tests Biochemical-tests Laboratory-animals Neurotoxic-effects Neurotoxins Sensitivity-testing Toxic-materials Toxins
• ISSN:
  1096-6080
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Louisiana ; North Carolina ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 6 ; Virginia ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  48
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20028024
• Citation:
  Toxicologist 1999 Mar; 48(1-S):289
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1999
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  The Toxicologist. Society of Toxicology 38th Annual Meeting, March 14-18, 1999, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Supplement:
  1-S
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:881461b78f726cecac11d5cdc579b217c0b4f797238fe785c0e8dbb8188fe113cb5f3f7cd74a5cda76b88c3b22e3538d17a4e97d64eedb76940732436ac1cde4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/189734/cdc_189734_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 226.86 KB ]