Partial selectivity of 6-OHDA induced neuronal degeneration after intraissular injection in the brain with special reference to the nigro-striatal dopamine system.

The selectivity of 6-OHDA induced neuronal degeneration after intra-tissular injection in the brain is discussed considering the morphological and biochemical events occurring in the substantia nigra and in the striatum--after intranigral or intrastriatal application of the drug. The data suggest that a critical intratissular concentration of 6-OHDA is required to induce an elective neuronal degeneration. The importance of the non-specific damage can not be neglected when high doses of the drug are administered in the brain tissue.