Mptp Synthesis

What is MPTP and how is it used?
MPTP is a form of synthetic analog drug that is only obtainable illegally. Demerol, also known as MPPP or MPTP is an analog of fentanyl and meperidine. When ingested, MPTP metabolizes into a reactive molecule in the brain that selectively destroys neurons containing dopamine, which found in the motor regions of the basal ganglia. Gradual neuronal degeneration is the result of Parkinson’s disease found in aging individuals however, the consumption of MPTP dramatically accelerates this process in the course of days and not years (Hanson et al., 2015).
Additionally consumption results in a reduction of glutathione content (Sian et al., 1999).
What have been good and bad consequences of the synthesis of MPTP?
MPTP negatively affects the body by penetrating the blood-brain barrier and entering the brain cells. MPTP is not toxic, however when it oxidizes it forms MPP+ which is toxic. Toxic oxidation later reaches the extracellular fluid and gets transported by the dopamine neurons transporter into the dopamine neurons nerve terminals (Sian et al., 1999). In 1976, a drug addict attempted to make a drug similar to meperidine, however he failed in making the proper chemical synthesis
(Hanson et al., 2015). Three days post self-administering, he developed symptoms associated to Parkinson’s: motor problems and severe tremors. Following the treatment where levodopa was used, he displayed signs of improvement. Levodopa is a drug used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s. After he committed suicide, the autopsy revealed that he had severe brain damage which was later concluded to be the result of consuming an improperly synthesized dosage of meperidine. The damage was seen as irreversible (Hanson et al., 2015).
The only positive effect that came from the ingestion of MPTP, though an accidental discovery, was that a gateway was created for researchers who were studying Parkinson’s disease. MPTP produced an insight as to the dopaminergic neurons in the disease degenerate. Secondly it created the pursuit for endo- and exogenous neurotoxin which plays a role in provoking the nigral cell death characteristics associated with Parkinson’s (Sian et al., 1999). Describe how "designer drugs" have been associated with narcotics and Parkinson's disease.
The term designer drugs was established by Dr.
Gary Henderson. In general, the drug is created to evade legal boundaries and are used recreationally. They are a synthesized form of legal substances often created by novice chemists (Buchanan et al., 1988). The relation between designer drugs, narcotics, and Parkinson’s disease is that each one greatly influences the other in terms of risks. Both designer drugs and narcotics cause a depression of the central nervous system and are addictive. Any depression of the CNS regardless of how severe will cause adverse reactions. Additionally each person’s sensitivity level is different. Alteration of the sensors in the CNS can further lead to irreversible medical problems and diseases such as
Parkinson’s.