6-Hydroxydopamine

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6-Hydroxydopamine, or 6-OHDA, is a neurotoxin used by neurobiologists to selectively kill dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons. 6-OHDA enters the neurones via the dopamine and noradrenaline (or, in America, norepinephrine) reuptake transporters. 6-OHDA is often used in conjunction with a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (such as desipramine) to selectively kill dopaminergic neurones only. The reverse is also possible, however it is rarely done in research.

The main use for 6-hydroxydopamine in scientific research is to induce Parkinsonism in laboratory animals such as mice, rats and monkeys, in order to develop and test new medicines for treating Parkinson's Disease in humans. In order to induce this condition in animals, around 90% of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain must be destroyed, and this is achieved either with 6-OHDA or MPTP.