In vivo microdialysis study of neuroprotective properties of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline in rat brain
1-Methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ), an endogenous mammalian alkaloid, displays some neuroprotective properties in the mammalian brain. We demonstrated in an in vivo microdialysis study on freely moving rats reduction of dopamine oxidation in rat striatum via MAO-dependent desamination and evaluation of O-methylation of dopamine by 1MeTIQ. 1MeTIQ also prevented the release of exicatory amino acids glutamate and aspartate after kainate-induced neurotoxicity. Neuroprotective properties of 1MeTIQ suppose to look at it as therapeutic agent in various neurodegenerative diseases.