Monoamine oxidase and oxidative stress at dopaminergic synapses.

Abstract

Increased oxidation of dopamine by monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the striatum is associated with an oxidant stress, expressed as a rise in the level of oxidized glutathione. Oxidation of glutathione is suppressed by MAO inhibitors, such as deprenyl and clorgyline. These observations related to Parkinson's disease and to the clinical trial of deprenyl as an agent that may retard progression of the disease.