[Dopa-induced dyskinesia in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated hemiparkinsonian monkeys].

Infusion of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) into the right common carotid artery of 5 rhesus monkeys produced hemiparkinsonian syndrome in the contralateral limbs which responded to madopa or apomorphine therapy. Moreover, these two drugs induced circling away from the MPTP-treated side, amphetamine induced rotation toward the MPTP-treated side. Long-term use of madopa developed a peak-dose dyskinesia of the face and the limbs contralateral to the MPTP-treated side. The ipsilateral toxic effects were confirmed biochemically by reduction of nigrostriatal DA and histologically by degeneration of nigral neurons of the MPTP-treated side. It is concluded that this hemiparkinsonian model of rhesus monkey will be of value in the elucidation of the neural mechanism underlying L-DOPA or DA agonist induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease and in the search for newer methods of treatment which would produce less dyskinesia and response fluctuations.