Effects of MPTP on the mouse retina
Takatsuna, Y.; Adachi-Usami, E.; Ino, H.; Chiba, T.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 96(6): 767-775
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 1352654 Document Number: 391162
MPTP is known as a selective neurotoxin which destroys dopamine-containing neurons, and induces a model of Parkinson's disease. In the retina, MPTP acts on the amacrine cells which contain dopamine. In the present study, C57BL/6J mice were treated i.p. with MPTP (cumulative dose, 150 mg/kg), and the role of dopamine in the mouse retina was investigated electrophysiologically and immunohistochemically. ERGs were recorded before and 10, 30 and 50 days after MPTP injection. The amplitude of the oscillatory potentials was greatly reduced, and that of the b-wave to a lesser degree, while the a-wave was slightly reduced 10 days after injection. These ERG changes tended to return to the control level 50 days after injection. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 10 days after MPTP injection the number of tyrosine hydroxylase positive amacrine cells was reduced by approximately 50%, and that these changes had lasted at least until 50 days after MPTP injection.