3,4-Dibenzyloxybenzyl Alcohol is an intermediate in the synthesis of Dopal (D533885), a product of Dopamine catabolism by monoamine oxidase and may be further oxidized to 3,??4-??Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid via aldehyde dehydrogenase. DOPAL can also be reduced to Hydroxy Tyrosol via cytosolic aldehyde or aldose reductase. DOPAL is harmful to nigrostriatal DA terminals and contributes to the profound putamen DA deficiency found in Parkinson's disease. Cytosolic and mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoenzymes deficiency in mice results in increased levels of DOPAL, causing neurodegeneration and motor dysfunction also associated with Parkinson's disease.
