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A non‐peptidyl neurotrophic small molecule for midbrain dopaminergic neurons
Author(s) -
Lin LeuFen H.,
Rubin Lee L.,
Xu Mei
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2004.02412.x
Subject(s) - dopaminergic , midbrain , dopamine , neurotrophin , neuroscience , glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , neurotrophic factors , biology , parkinson's disease , ventral tegmental area , central nervous system , medicine , biochemistry , disease , receptor
A small organic molecule (CUR‐162590) that selectively enhances survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons was identified by screening small molecule compound libraries. In embryonic midbrain cultures, CUR‐162590 increased dopamine uptake and the number of dopaminergic neurons without altering the number of total neurons or astroglia or the uptake of GABA or serotonin. CUR‐162590 reduced apoptosis of cultured dopaminergic neurons and protected against death induced by toxins such as MPP + . Several synthetic analogs of CUR‐162590 also had similar bioactivities. CUR‐162590 thus represents a new class of neurotrophic small molecules that may have utility in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, which is marked by degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.