Changes in plasma catecholamines levels as preclinical biomarkers in experimental models of Parkinson's disease.

The goal of this study was to investigate the changes in the concentrations of blood plasma catecholamines as possible biomarkers of Parkinson's disease (PD) in the mouse experimental model of PD induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). A significant decrease was detected in the levels of dopamine and L-DOPA in the PD preclinical stage model as a result of the catecholamines systemic metabolism disfunction. In the PD early clinical stage models, the level of L-DOPA and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid decreased, which is consistent with the results of blood tests in untreated patients.