6-Hydroxycatecholine, a choline-mimicking analogue of the selective neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine.

The synthesis and properties of 6-hydroxy-N,N-dimethylepinephrine (6-hydroxy-catecholine) are reported. This agent is intended for use as a selective presynaptic cholinotoxin and is based on previously reported neurotoxins of the same type. 6-hydroxycatecholine is a close structural analogue of the catecholaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine, and is expected both to be selectively reactive at cholinergic sites and to undergo less vigorous and potentially more selective inactivating reactions. It is also possible that in specific dementia-inducing pathologies, 6-hydroxycatecholine could be formed endogenously.