Neurotoxicity of dipiperidinoethane due to in vivo conversion to a selective cholinesterase inhibitor.

Dipiperidinoethane (DPE) administration produces seizures and CNS lesions. Here we elucidate the cholinergic origin of DPE toxicity. DPE is both an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor and a muscarinic antagonist. This dual action negates most of the toxic effects of the compound in vivo. The neurotoxicity is believed to arise from oxidative conversion to DPE-N-oxide, which selectively inhibits AChE. Cytotoxicity does not involve muscarinic neurons, since binding parameters were unchanged following in vivo exposure.