3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde
3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde is an important metabolite of the major brain neurotransmitter dopamine. All of the enzymatic metabolism of dopamine in neurons passes through DOPAL. According to the "catecholaldehyde hypothesis," DOPAL plays a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. DOPAL has been chemically synthesized. DOPAL is detoxified mainly by aldehyde dehydrogenase.
