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In the present study, a central serotonin neurotoxicity was induced by combining a non-neurotoxic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine analogue, 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan (MMAI), with the non-vesicular dopamine (DA) releaser, S-(+)-amphetamine (Amp). With the multiple dosing regimen utilized neither drug alone resulted in any changes in serotonergic parameters, including 5-HT, 5-HIAA and the number of 5-HT uptake sites. However, MMAI (10 mg/kg) in combination with Amp (2 x 2.5 mg/kg) did result in a long-term 20% decrease in cortical serotonergic parameters. The same dose of Amp plus 20 mg/kg MMAI resulted in a 50 to 60% reduction. Effects in the hippocampus and caudate nucleus were similar. These data support the hypothesis that DA release plays a critical role in the serotonin neurotoxicity of substituted amphetamines.

The involvement of dopamine receptor subtypes in the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine was evaluated by the ability of a series of compounds selective for D1 or D2 dopamine receptors to produce discriminative stimulus effects comparable to cocaine. Male, Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate 10 mg/kg of cocaine HCI from saline in a two-lever discrimination procedure. Inhibitors of catecholamine and serotonin reuptake (GBR 12909, WIN 35,428 and mazindol), d-amphetamine, and the nonselective dopamine agonist, apomorphine, produced dose-dependent increases in cocaine-appropriate responding and fully substituted for cocaine. Cocaine methiodide, a charged, quaternary cocaine analog, did not substitute for cocaine. Neither pentobarbital, haloperidol nor SCH 23390 produced cocaine-like behavioral activity. Both D1- and D2-selective agonists with diverse structures partially substituted for cocaine, producing from 40 to 80% cocaine-appropriate responses. The D1 agonists studied were SKF 38393 and stereoisomers, SKF 75670 and CY 208-243. Dihydrexidine, a full D1 agonist for induction of adenylate cyclase activity, also only partially substituted for cocaine. The peripherally acting D1 agonist, fenoldopam, produced predominantly saline-appropriate responding that was unrelated to dose. The D2 agonists tested were pergolide, quinpirole, (-)-NPA, RU 24213, N-0434 and N-0437. The D2 antagonist haloperidol did not block the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine. In contrast, the D1 antagonist SCH 23390 reduced the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine by a maximum of 50%. These results suggest that both D1 and D2 receptors may play a role in the discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine but that stimulation of either dopamine receptor subtype alone is not sufficient.

The racemate and the enantiomers of 1-(3-methoxy-4-methyphenyl)-2- aminopropane (6) and racemic 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan (11) were tested for stimulus generalization in the two-lever drug-discrimination paradigm. Both 6 and 11 were found to substitute with high potency in 3,4-(methylenedioxy)methamphetamine (1) and (S)-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-(methylamino)butane (2) trained rats. In the latter assay, both enantiomers of 6 had identical potencies, but their dose-response curves were not parallel. Racemic 6, but not 11, partially substituted for LSD. Racemic 6 and 11 did not substitute in (S)-amphetamine-trained rats. All of the test compounds were potent inhibitors of [3H]-5-HT uptake into synaptosomes in vitro, with the S enantiomer of 6 being most active. Rat brain monoamine levels were unaltered 1 week following a single high dose (10 or 20 mg/kg, sc) of 6 or 11, or two weeks following a subacute dosing regimen (20 mg/kg, sc, twice a day for 4 days). In addition, radioligand-binding parameters in rat brain homogenate with the 5-HT uptake inhibitor [3H]paroxetine were unchanged after subacute dosing with either racemic 6 or 11. The results indicate that compounds 6 and 11 have animal behavioral pharmacology similar to the methylenedioxy compounds 1 and 2, but that they do not induce the serotonin neurotoxicity that has been observed for the latter two drugs.

Rats were trained to discriminate (+)-amphetamine sulfate (5.43 mumol/kg, 1 mg/kg) from saline in a food-reinforced, two-lever drug discrimination paradigm. Side chain variations of the amphetamine molecular structure were analyzed for their effects on the discriminative stimulus properties of this prototype central nervous system stimulant. Partial generalization was observed for the alpha-ethyl homologue of (+)-amphetamine, (+)-AEPEA, and for 2-aminoindan (AI), while 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindan (MDAI) elicited only saline-appropriate responding. By contrast, 2-amino-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (ADN) and 2-aminotetralin (AT) completely substituted for (+)-amphetamine. Relative to the training drug, ADN was 1/4 as potent and AT was 1/8 as potent. The S-(-)-isomer of ADN was found to be responsible for the (+)-amphetamine-like discriminative properties of the racemate. The results suggest that constraining or extending the alpha-alkyl substituent of (+)-amphetamine has a deleterious effect on the ability of the resulting analogue to adopt the active conformation of (+)-amphetamine, thereby diminishing its characteristic discriminative stimulus properties.

To assess the potential involvement of metabolism of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to the catechol alpha-methylepinine in producing serotonergic neurotoxicity, we attempted to correlate aspects of this reaction with the neurotoxicity profile of MDMA. In contrast to the stereoselectivity of S-(+)-MDMA in causing persistent declines in rat brain 5-hydroxyindole levels, no stereochemical component to the metabolic reaction was apparent. Rat liver microsomes generated a significantly greater amount of alpha-methylepinine than did mouse microsomes, but similar amounts of metabolite were produced by brain microsomes from the two species. Formation of alpha-methylepinine by hepatic, but not brain, microsomes was inhibited by SKF 525A and induced by phenobarbital, possibly indicating a tissue specificity in cytochrome P-450-dependent metabolism of MDMA. To directly assess whether alpha-methylepine is a likely mediator of MDMA neurotoxicity, the compound was administered intracerebroventricularly. No persistent declines in biogenic amines or their metabolites were observed one week following treatment. These data suggest that alpha-methylepinine alone is not responsible for the neurotoxic effects of MDMA.

Two 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran analogues of hallucinogenic amphetamines were prepared and evaluated for activity in the two-lever drug-discrimination paradigm in rats trained to discriminate saline from LSD tartrate (0.08 mg/kg) and for the ability to displace [125I]-(R)-DOI [( 125I]-(R)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane) from rat cortical homogenate 5-HT2 receptors. The compounds, 1-(5-methoxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-4-yl)-2-aminopropane (6a) and its 7-brominated analogue 6b, possessed activity comparable to their conformationally flexible counterparts 1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (3) and its 4-bromo derivative DOB (5), respectively. The results suggest that the dihydrofuran ring in 6a and 6b models the active conformation of the 5-methoxy groups in 3 and 5. Free energy of binding, derived from radioligand displacement KA values, indicated that addition of the bromine in either series contributes 2.4-3.2 kcal/mol of binding energy. On the basis of surface area of the bromine atom, this value is 2-3 times higher than would be expected on the basis of hydrophobic binding. Thus, hydrophobicity of the para substituent alone cannot account for the dramatic enhancement of hallucinogenic activity. Although this substituent may play a minor role in orienting the conformation of the 5-methoxy group in derivatives such as 4 and 5, there appears to be some other, as yet unknown, critical receptor interaction.

Derivatives of amphetamine are potent releasers of both dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT), but the relative contributions of DA and 5-HT release to the behavioral effects of these drugs have not been established. Previously, S-(+)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (S-(+)MDMA) was found to produce locomotor hyperactivity in rats which was dependent on 5-HT release. The present study found that MBDB (1.25, 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 mg/kg), the alpha-ethyl derivative of MDMA that produces little or no direct DA release, also induced locomotor hyperactivity that lasted for greater than 60 min after the 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg doses. MBDB produced spatial patterns of locomotor hyperactivity and suppression of exploratory activity (holepokes and rearings) very similar to the behavioral syndrome produced by MDMA. MBDB-induced hyperactivity was blocked by pretreatment with the selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor fluoxetine (2.5 or 10 mg/kg), suggesting that MBDB produced behavioral effects via uptake-carrier mediated release of 5-HT. Similarly, fluoxetine pretreatment blocked the locomotor hyperactivity produced by S-(+)3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (3.0 mg/kg) or p-chloroamphetamine (2.5 mg/kg), supporting a serotonergic basis for the action of these drugs. Tissue levels of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-HIAA were decreased 40 min after administration of S-(+)MDMA (3.0 mg/kg) or MBDB (5.0 mg/kg), and these decreases were prevented by fluoxetine pretreatment. S-(+)MDMA also produced a fluoxetine-sensitive increase of tissue DA levels, suggesting that 5-HT release may indirectly result in increased DA release, although MBDB did not significantly increase DA levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A rigid analogue, 5-iodo-2-aminoindan (5-IAI), of the serotonin neurotoxic halogenated amphetamine p-iodoamphetamine (PIA) was pharmacologically evaluated for production of serotonin neurotoxicity. A comparison was also made between 5-IAI and PIA in the two-lever drug discrimination paradigm in rats trained to discriminate saline from 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or saline from the alpha-ethyl homologue of MDMA, MBDB. PIA and 5-IAI were both behaviorally active, and fully substituted in both groups of animals, but were considerably less potent than p-chloroamphetamine (PCA). PIA had about twice the potency of PCA as an inhibitor of [3H]-5-HT uptake in rat brain cortical synaptosomes, while 5-IAI was only about 75% as potent as PCA in this assay. A single 40 mg/kg dose of PIA resulted in a 40% reduction of 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels and in the number of 5-HT uptake sites in rat cortex at one week sacrifice. The same dose of 5-IAI with one week sacrifice led to about a 15% decrease in 5-HIAA levels and number of 5-HT uptake sites, but only the latter was statistically significant. In rat hippocampus, PIA gave significant decreases in all serotonin markers examined, while 5-IAI slightly but significantly decreased only 5-HT levels. Neither compound produced any change in catecholamine or catecholamine metabolite levels. The results confirm earlier reports of the selective serotonin neurotoxicity of PIA, which is less severe than that of PCA, and also demonstrate that its rigid analogue 5-IAI does not appear to cause significant serotonin deficits in the rat.

The stimulus properties of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-like compounds were studied in rats trained to discriminate saline from (+)-N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine [(+)-MBDB] hydrochloride (7.18 mumol/kg; 1.75 mg/kg), the alpha-ethyl homolog of MDMA. In previous experiments with (+)-MBDB as a test drug, complete substitution was observed for MDMA but not for (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide or (+)-amphetamine. In the study reported here, the (+)-MBDB cue generalized to MDMA and the parent drug, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine. All three drugs exhibited a similar stereoselectivity, the (+)-isomer having potency greater than the (-)-isomer. By contrast, the hallucinogens, (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine and mescaline and the psychostimulants (+)-amphetamine and (+)-methamphetamine did not substitute for (+)-MBDB. Cocaine produced partial substitution. The results support the hypothesis that the primary behavioral activity of MDMA-like compounds is unlike that of hallucinogens and stimulants and may represent the effects of a novel drug class, given the name entactogens. Although the mechanism of action for the discriminative stimulus properties of MDMA-like compounds is not known, there is evidence that presynaptic serotonergic, but not dopaminergic, mechanisms are critical. Finally, 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindan a non-neurotoxic 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine rigid analog that was previously found to substitute for MDMA but not for (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide was found in the study described here to substitute completely for (+)-MBDB. The N-methyl derivative 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-methylminoindan produced similar results. The demonstration of entactogen-like discriminative stimulus properties, for drugs devoid of neuronal degenerative toxicity potential, serves as evidence of the independent mechanisms for these effects in rats.

The present set of experiments was designed to examine the effects of extension of the alpha-methyl of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) to an alpha-ethyl. Therefore, the alpha-ethyl homologue of PCA, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-aminobutane (CAB), was compared to PCA in a number of pharmacological assays. CAB was 2-fold less potent than PCA at inhibiting synaptosomal uptake of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT), and 5-fold less potent at inhibiting uptake of [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA). In drug discrimination assays, CAB was approximately 3-fold less potent than PCA in animals trained to discriminate 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or its alpha-ethyl homologue, S-(+)-N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (S-(+)-MBDB), from saline. Monitoring with in vivo microdialysis, 10 mg/kg of PCA caused a large increase in extracellular DA and a significant decrease in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the striatum. In contrast, 11 mg/kg CAB caused no increase and 22 mg/kg CAB caused only a slight increase in extracellular DA. Both doses of CAB caused a decrease in extracellular DOPAC. The potential 5-HT neurotoxicity of CAB was examined by measuring monoamine and metabolite levels and [3H]paroxetine binding at one week following acute doses. A 10 mg/kg dose of PCA caused an 80% decrease in cortical and hippocampal serotonergic markers, while an equimolar dose of CAB decreased only hippocampal 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels. However, 22 mg/kg of CAB produced a 20-40% decrease in all serotonergic markers. Thus, extension of the alpha-alkyl significantly decreases the dopaminergic effects of PCA. The similar decrease in relative 5-HT neurotoxicity and the decreased ability to alter dopaminergic systems in vivo and in vitro supports the involvement of DA in the neurotoxicity of PCA.

trans-10,11-Dihydroxy-5,6,6a,7,8,12b-hexahydrobenzo[a]phenan thridine (4a, dihydrexidine) has been found to be a highly potent and selective agonist of the dopamine D1 receptor in rat brain. Dihydrexidine had an EC50 of approximately 70 nM in activating dopamine-sensitive rat striatal adenylate cyclase and a maximal stimulation equal to or slightly greater than that produced by dopamine. Dihydrexidine had an IC50 of 12 nM in competing for [3H]SCH23390 (1a) binding sites in rat striatal homogenate, and of 120 nM versus [3H]spiperone. These data demonstrate that dihydroxidine has about ten-fold selectivity for D1/D2 receptors. More importantly, however, is the fact that dihydrexidine is a full agonist. Previously available agents, such as SKF38393 (1b), while being somewhat more selective for the D1 receptor, are only partial agonists. The isomeric cis-dihydroxybenzo[a]-phenanthridine neither stimulated cAMP synthesis nor inhibited the cAMP synthesis induced by dopamine. The cis isomer also lacked appreciable affinity for [3H]-1a binding sites. N-Methylation of the title compound decreased affinity for D1 sites about 7-8-fold and markedly decreased ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase. Addition of an N-n-propyl group reduced affinity for D1 sites by about 50-fold and essentially abolished the ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase. However, this latter derivative had twice the affinity of the D2-selective agonist quinpirole for the D2 receptor. The results are discussed in the context of a conceptual model for the agonist state of the D1 receptor.

The optical isomers of fenfluramine and norfenfluramine were administered to rats to examine their relative potency for destruction of serotonin neurons. Rats were sacrificed one week following a single 10 mg/kg SC injection of one of the four compounds and monoamine and metabolite levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus brain regions were examined by HPLC-EC techniques. In addition, [3H]-paroxetine binding to homogenates of these brain regions was determined. With the exception of hippocampal 5-HT levels following d-fenfluramine treatment, there was a decrease in all the serotonergic markers assayed, following treatment with the d-enantiomers of fenfluramine and norfenfluramine. No decrease in any serotonergic marker was seen at this dose following treatment with the l-enantiomers of fenfluramine or norfenfluramine. Also, none of the drug treatments resulted in a significant decrease in catecholamines or their metabolites. With all the serotonergic markers examined, d-norfenfluramine was found to cause a significantly greater decrease than d-fenfluramine. The significance of these results is discussed in terms of the hypothesis that the long-term serotonergic deficits observed with d-fenfluramine may result from its metabolite, d-norfenfluramine.

Four cyclic analogues of the psychoactive phenethylamine derivative 3,4-(methylenedioxy)amphetamine were studied. These congeners, 5,6- and 4,5-(methylenedioxy)-2-aminoindan (3a and 4a, respectively), and 6,7- and 5,6-(methylenedioxy)-2-aminotetralin (3b and 4b, respectively) were tested for stimulus generalization in the two-lever drug-discrimination paradigm. Two groups of rats were trained to discriminate either LSD tartrate (0.08 mg/kg) from saline, or (+/-)-MDMA.HCl (1.75 mg/kg) from saline. In addition, a 2-aminoindan (5a) and 2-aminotetralin (5b) congener of the hallucinogenic amphetamine 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4- methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM) were also evaluated. None of the methylenedioxy compounds substituted in LSD-trained rats, while both 3a and 3b fully substituted in MDMA-trained rats. Compounds 4a and 4b did not substitute in MDMA-trained rats. Compounds 5a and 5b did not substitute in MDMA-trained rats, although 5a substituted in LSD-trained rats, but with relatively low potency compared to its open-chain counterpart. In view of the now well-established serotonin neurotoxicity of 3,4-(methylenedioxy)amphetamine and its N-methyl homologue 1, 3a and 3b were evaluated and compared to 1 for similar toxic effects following a single acute dose of 40 mg/kg sc. Sacrifice at 1 week showed that neither 3a nor 3b depressed rat cortical or hippocampal 5-HT or 5-HIAA levels nor were the number of binding sites (Bmax) depressed for [3H]paroxetine. By contrast, and in agreement with other reports, 1 significantly depressed all three indices of neurotoxicity. These results indicate that 3a and 3b have acute behavioral pharmacology similar to 1 but that they lack similar serotonin neurotoxicity.

Recent studies of 5-HT2 receptor binding have involved the use of radiolabeled agonists. This report describes the use of [125I]-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)aminoethane ([125I]-2C-I) as a label for low-density 5-HT2 agonist binding sites. A nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP, GppNHp, was found to inhibit the high affinity binding of [125I]-2C-I. 5-HT and several 5-HT2 agonists and antagonists displayed high affinity for this site. In addition, a significant decrease in the Bmax value, but not the KD for [125I]-2C-I was observed at 37 degrees C as compared to that observed at 24 degrees C. Several structure-activity relationships were investigated for displacement of [125I]-2C-I, and the results are consistent with the importance of this receptor in the mechanism of action of hallucinogens. This study demonstrates the utility of [125I]-2C-I as a novel radioligand and provides further data that the 5-HT2 receptor is significantly linked to hallucinogenic activity for several compounds.

The title compounds were prepared and examined to elucidate further the structure-activity relationships of dopamine agonists related to nomifensine. Two of the compounds, 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline and 4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrothieno[2,3-c]pyridine, have been reported in the patent literature. In stimulation of rat retinal adenylate cyclase, a measure of dopamine D-1 agonist activity, the tetrahydroisoquinoline was about equipotent to dopamine. The thienyl isostere had nearly twice the potency. Both compounds were potent vasodilators in the canine renal artery, producing dilation through stimulation of DA1 type peripheral dopamine receptors. A monohydroxy analogue, 4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, had only slight activity in the cyclase assay and was inactive in the canine renal artery. These results, combined with those from an earlier study, demonstrate that N-alkylation decreases both dopamine D-1 and DA-1 agonist potency, with activity ordered as H greater than methyl greater than ethyl greater than propyl. The results also demonstrate the necessity for the catechol function in this series.

The nature of the stereochemistry and aromatic ring substituents and their importance to biological activity for phenethylamine-type hallucinogens is presented. The possibility of a hydrophobic site to bind to the 4-substituent and its likely geometry is described. A brief discussion of the structure-activity relationships for tryptamines such as psilocin and DMT is also given, with comments about the stereochemistry of alpha-methyltryptamines. Evaluation of a series of N(6)-alkyl-nor-LSD derivatives indicated that selected members such as N(6)-ethyl, allyl and propyl were as potent as, if not more potent than LSD, both in a two-lever drug discrimination assay in rats, and in man. N(6)-alkyl groups longer than n-propyl, such as n-butyl or 2-phenethyl, gave compounds that were greatly reduced in activity.

The compounds 1-(2-methyl-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-aminopropane and 1-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-aminopropane were synthesized and evaluated for pharmacologic effects in mice. These can be viewed as analogues of the known psychotomimetic agent 3,4-(methylenedioxy)amphetamine (MDA). Their hydrochloride salts were compared with MDA for their ability to increase spontaneous motor activity and to elicit behavioral effects. The former compounds was MDA-like in action, while the latter was not. The results suggest that one face of the molecule must be free of steric bulk to possess activity.

A procedure for the preparation of optically pure alpha-methyltryptamines (AMTs) from substituted indoles was developed. The key step in the sequence was the reductive amination of substituted indole-2-propanones with the commercially available pure enantiomers of alpha-methylbenzylamine, followed by the chromatographic separation of the resulting pair of diastereomeric amines by preparative centrifugal (Chromatotron) chromatography. Catalytic N-debenzylation then afforded the pure AMT enantiomers. Optical purity was established by chiral HPLC analysis of the 2-naphthoylamide derivatives. An improved procedure for the preparation of indole-2-propanones was also developed. To probe structure-activity relationships of serotonin receptors, affinities of the alpha-methyltryptamine enantiomers were then measured at the 5-HT2 antagonist receptor subtype, with displacement of [3H]ketanserin, and were estimated at the 5-HT1B receptor, with displacement of [3H]serotonin, respectively, in rat frontal cortex homogenates. Enantioselectivity at the receptor subtypes varied, depending on aromatic substituents. For a 5-hydroxy or 5-methoxy, the S enantiomer had higher affinity or was equipotent to the R enantiomer. This selectivity at [3H]serotonin binding sites was reversed for 4-oxygenated alpha-methyltryptamines, where a 4-hydroxy or 4-methoxy did not enhance affinity over the unsubstituted compounds. These results can be explained, for the [3H]serotonin displacement data, if the binding conformation is one where the ethylamine side chain is trans and lying in a plane perpendicular to the indole ring plane.

The alpha-ethyl phenethylamine derivative 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine was prepared. An asymmetric synthesis was used to prepare the enantiomers of this compound and the related alpha-methyl homologue (MDA). The racemates and enantiomers of both compounds were evaluated in the two-lever drug discrimination assay in rats trained to discriminate saline from 0.08 mg/kg of LSD tartrate. Stimulus generalization occurred with the racemate and the R-(-) enantiomer of the alpha-methyl homologue and the S-(+) enantiomer of the alpha-ethyl primary amine. No generalization occurred with the other enantiomers or with the N-methyl derivatives of either series. Human psychopharmacology studies revealed that the N-methyl derivative of the title compound was nonhallucinogenic and that it had a new, novel psychoactive effect. It is suggested that this compound is the prototype of a new pharmacologic class that may have value in facilitating psychotherapy and that this class be designated as entactogens.

The present study was carried out to asses possible toxic effects of 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE) on serotonergic, dopaminergic or noradrenergic neurons in the rat brain. It was found that MDE produced a long-lasting, dose-related depletion of serotonin (5HT). However, even at high dosage, MDE did not reduce the concentration of either dopamine (DA) or norepinephrine (NE) on a long-term basis. When compared to 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA), MDE was approximately one fourth as potent as producing a long-term depletion of 5HT. These results suggest that MDE, like MDMA, may be selectively toxic to central serotonergic neurons.

In four preparations/tests (isolated nerve, ventricular strip, rotarod, and mouse acute lethality), cis-N-phenyl-4-methyl-cyclohexyl piperidine (cis-MPCP) was consistently less active than PCP and trans-MPCP. As expected, cis-MPCP, at 10(-4)M, which did not depress the action potential evoked on frog sciatic nerves, reduced by half both the nerve block and prolongation of relative refractory period caused by PCP. However, cis-MPCP at 10(-6)M, which by itself had little effect, failed to reduce the positive inotropic effect of PCP on the field-stimulated rat ventricular strip. Cis-MPCP also failed to decrease the ataxic effect of 6 mg/kg PCP (ED80) in the mouse rotarod test. Finally, at a dose that was neither ataxic nor lethal to mice (20 mg/kg), cis-MPCP failed to reduce the 24-hour LD50 of PCP. These data suggest that the actions of PCP are mediated through a multiple receptor system.

Theoretical conformational energy calculations were carried out for the (+) and (-) isomers of the hallucinogen 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM, STP). Energies were also calculated for two analogues of DOM, 1-amino-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylbenzyl)cyclopropane and 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-methyl-2-aminopropane. This method utilized classical, empirical potential-energy functions. A previously proposed active conformational region was studied. Compounds could be ranked in order of potency based on relative conformational energies in this region. Measurement of 13C spin--lattice relaxation times (T1) for the two alpha, alpha-disubstituted DOM analogues confirmed theoretical predictions of very restricted conformational freedom for the dimethyl compound but more flexibility for the cyclopropane analogue.

A series of three isomeric 2,4,5-substituted monoethoxy dimethoxy phenylisopropylamines were compared for their contractile effect in the rat fundus as potential antagonists to the effect of serotonin in the fundus. The three isomers were also evaluated for their discriminative stimulus properties in rats that had been trained to discriminate injections of saline from LSD tartrate (0.08 mg/kg). The drug discrimination studies revealed that the 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethoxy substitution was most potent in rats, consistent with the reported clinical activity of this isomer in man. By contrast, of the three isomers examined, this was the weakest in eliciting a contraction in the fundus. None of the compounds antagonized serotonin induced contractions, and it was not possible to determine pA2 values. Questions are raised about the determination of pA2 values for partial agonists and it is concluded that the fundus is not a reliable model for prediction of hallucinogenic activity of phenethylamines.

Three histochemical techniques for estrogen binding localization in tissue sections were compared to sucrose density gradient analyses for estrogen receptor in 186 breast carcinomas. Apparent localization to epithelial elements was noted using 6-BSA-Fluor-CMO-17 beta-estradiol, 17-BSA-Fluor-TSC-estrogen, and polyestradiol phosphate/anti-estradiol antibody methods. The correlation between the histochemical methods and standard sucrose density gradient techniques was poor for the polyestradiol antibody method and the 6-BSA-fluor-CMO-17 beta-estradiol techniques. While an improved correlation was observed with the 17-BSA-Fluor-TSC-estrogen compound, the compound's binding was not effectively blocked by preincubation with diethylstilbestrol. This failure to show convincing saturability of binding, combined with problems of extraction of soluble receptor proteins in the aqueous incubation media and washed from cells rendered permeable by cryostat sectioning, indicates that several areas will require clarification before histochemical techniques can begin to be considered as a method for estrogen ""receptor" analyses in the clinical evaluation of breast neoplasms.

A new stimulant compound, 1,2-dihydro-2-naphthalenamine (2-amino-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 2-ADN), was prepared as an analogue of amphetamine and of 2-aminotetralin. The optical isomers of 2-ADN were obtained by chemical resolution, and the absolute configuration was determined to be R-(+) and S-(-). Preliminary pharmacological evaluation revealed that racemic 2-ADN is approximately one-fourth as potent as (+)-amphetamine as a stimulant in mice. The S-(-) isomer of 2-ADN was found to be solely responsible for the stimulant effects of the racemate. Both reserpine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine antagonized the stimulation produced by 2-ADN.

An evaluation of 6-[2-(di-n-propylamino)ethyl]indole (4), its rigid analogue N,N-di-n-propyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenz[f]indol-7-amine (5), and some related congeners, for ability to suppress serum prolactin in reserpinized rats, revealed modest biological activity in this in vivo model of dopaminergic activity. Although the indole N-H in these compounds can be considered to be oriented "meta" with respect to the ethylamine side chain, compounds with the indole N-H located in the other "meta" position (i.e. 4-[2-(di-n-propylamino)ethyl]indole (2) or its rigid benz[e]indole analogue 3) were much more potent dopamine agonists. The results argue for a particular orientation of the indole N-H vector. In addition, relatively potent dopamine agonists also resulted when the pyrrole portion of the indole ring was replaced by a methanesulfonamido function, supporting the idea that the indole N-H serves as a hydrogen-bond donor.

N,N-Disubstituted dopamine and 2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (6,7-ADTN) analogues were synthesized and tested intraperitoneally in mice for dopamine agonism. Compounds inducing asymmetric postures in unilaterally caudectomized mice were further tested in mice treated with reserpine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methyl ester. ED50 values determined for reversal of reserpine-induced catalepsy were used to rank drug potency and correlated with molecular structure. N-n-Propyl N-substituted compounds were more effective than other N,N-dialkyl homologues. Of these, analogues with one alkyl group larger than propyl became inactive or their dopaminomimetic effect was reduced when the propyl was replaced with a larger group. N-Monosubstituted analogues were inactive as dopamine agonists. N-n-P-r-N-n-Bu-6,7-ADTN was six times more potent than N-n-propyl-N-n-pentyl- and N-n-propyl-N-phenethyldopamine but ten times less potent than apomorphine. The availability of an array of structurally related dopamine analogues with dopaminomimetic properties may make it possible to test the hypothesis that there are more than one type of dopamine receptor and that stereotypy and locomotor activity may have different central nervous system loci. Moreover, they may be of potential use in the treatment of parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal disorders.

N-ethyl, N-n-propyl, N-n-butyl, N,N-di-n-propyl and N-n-propyl-N-n-butyl derivatives of 2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (ADTN) were screened for dopamine vascular agonist activity. Effects of intraarterial injections of the drugs on renal and femoral blood flow were measured in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs before and after phenoxybenzamine (POB), 5--10 mg/kg. All DDTN derivatives were more potent vasoconstrictors than dopamine (DA) before POB. The di-substituted analogs were approximately 1/4 and the mono-substituted derivatives were about 1/16 as active as norepinephrine as vasoconstrictors. After POB the two di-substituted analogs were about 1/4 as active as DA in causing renal vasodilation. The three mono-substituted analogs produced relatively minor and inconsistent effects on renal blood flow, and were more than 100 times less effective than DA as vasodilators. The two di-substituted analogs markedly increased blood pressure with little effect on cardiac contractility in doses up to 32 micrograms/kg; whereas, the threshold dose of DA is 4--8 micrograms/kg. This and our previous results show that structure activity relationships of DA and ADTN, a semi-rigid analog of DA, are similar. However, the rigid analogs tend to be more potent vasoconstrictors than their flexible chain homologs.

A convenient method for the synthesis of N(6)-alkyl norlysergic acid N,N-diethylamide derivatives was developed. A series of these compounds was synthesized and tested for substitution in the two-lever drug discrimination assay, in rats trained to discriminate injections of d-LSD tartrate (185.5 nmol/kg, ip) from saline. A dose-response curve for each of the compounds in the series was generated. Structure-activity relationships were developed, based on comparison of the estimated ED50 values from these curves. Of the compounds that substituted for LSD, the N(6)-ethyl and -allyl were approximately 2-3 times more potent than LSD itself. The N(6)-propyl was equipotent to LSD, while the isopropyl derivative was half as active. The n-butyl compound was 1 order of magnitude less potent than LSD, suggesting a similarity to the SAR of certain serotonin and dopamine agonists. By contrast, no generalization occurred to norlysergic acid N,N-diethylamide and the N(6)-2-phenethyl derivative.

Preliminary receptor binding experiments with the stereoisomers of 125I-DOI, a new putative 5-HT2 agonist ligand, were conducted. The results indicated specific binding for both enantiomers, with a two-site model giving the best fit to the binding data. R-125I-DOI showed a high affinity dissociation constant of 1.26 nanoMolar, while the less active S-enantiomer had a two-fold lower affinity. Competition experiments with several 5-HT2 agonists also indicated a two site model, with high affinity inhibition constants less than 10 nanoMolar. These results show a stereoselective effect of ligand binding to the 5-HT2 receptor. The use of this ligand to investigate agonist-receptor interactions could be instrumental in the elucidation of the role of serotonergic systems in the mechanism of action of hallucinogens.

cis- and trans-2-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)cyclobutylamine and trans-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)cyclobutylamine were synthesized as conformationally restricted analogues of hallucinogenic phenylisopropylamines. In rats trained to discriminate saline from LSD (0.08 mg/kg, ip) in a two-lever drug discrimination paradigm, no generalization of the LSD stimulus to the cis trimethoxy compound occurred at doses up to 20 mg/kg. For both of the trans compounds, partial generalization of the LSD cue occurred at doses of 5 mg/kg or greater. In contrast, complete generalization occurred with trans-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)cyclopropylamine. The ED50 for this compound and the doses of the trans cyclobutyl homologues at which significant drug-appropriate responding occurred indicate that the latter are on the order of 50-75 times less potent than the cyclopropylamine analogue. The lack of generalization to the cyclobutylamines indicates either that their discriminative stimulus properties differ from LSD or that they lack discriminative effects.

Based upon the known dopaminergic properties of 2-aminodihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenes (ADTN's), heterocyclic congeners were prepared. Several 2-(alkylamino)-5,6- and -6,7-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydroquinazolines were synthesized and tested for a dopamine-like vasodilatory action in the canine renal artery. The 6,7-disubstituted series had a weak antagonist effect against dopamine. Neither 5,6- nor 6,7-dihydroxy substitution gave dopamine agonists. Measured pKa values confirmed the expectation that the dihydroquinazolines were more basic than dopamine, one possible reason for the lack of dopamine-like action.

The 3,4-ethylidenedioxy and 3,4-isopropylidenedioxy analogues, EDA and IDA, respectively, of 3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) were compared to MDA in drug-stimulated [3H]-serotonin overflow from prelabelled rat hippocampal slices, [3H]-dopamine overflow from prelabelled rat caudate slices, in their ability to displace the 5-HT2 agonist R-[125I]-DOI from rat brain cortical binding sites. They were also compared in the two-lever drug discrimination assay in rats, utilizing d-LSD tartrate (0.08 mg/kg) or MDMA.HCl (1.75 mg/kg) as the training stimulus. MDA and EDA were nearly equipotent in inducing release of both [3H]-monoamine transmitters, while IDA was considerably less potent. Pretreatment of hippocampal slices with the 5-HT-uptake inhibitor fluoxetine (3.2 microM) blocked the [3H]-5-HT overflow induced by MDA. In the drug discrimination experiments, complete substitution occurred with all three drugs in both LSD- and MDMA-trained rats. The ED50 values indicated that MDA had about twice the potency of EDA, and five times the potency of IDA in MDMA-trained rats. In the LSD-trained animals, MDA was about three times more potent than EDA and about seven times more potent than IDA. The KI values for displacement of R-[125I]-DOI generally parallel the results of the LSD transfer tests.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a recently popularized recreational drug, although some have advocated its psychotherapeutic potential. Since the pharmacology of MDMA is largely uncharacterized, the stereochemical profiles of MDMA and some of its homologs were derived on inhibition of synaptosomal uptake of [3H]monoamines and compared to those of amphetamine and the hallucinogenic phenylisopropylamine 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM). In contrast to the 5-fold stereoselectivity observed with amphetamine, only the S-(+) enantiomer of MDMA and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) inhibited [3H]dopamine uptake into striatal synaptosomes. Neither stereoisomer of the alpha-ethyl homolog of MDMA, N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB), inhibited [3H]dopamine uptake. The two stereoisomers of amphetamine and the MDMA-related compounds were equipotent in inhibiting [3H]norepinephrine uptake into hypothalamic synaptosomes. Both stereoisomers of MDMA, MDA and MBDB were potent inhibitors of [3H]serotonin uptake into hippocampal synaptosomes, but only S-(+)-amphetamine produced an appreciable inhibition of [3H]serotonin uptake. Neither stereoisomer of DOM inhibited synaptosomal uptake of any [3H]monoamine. These results suggest that MDMA and its homologs may be more closely related to amphetamine rather than to DOM in their biochemical mode of action. The pronounced effects of the methylenedioxy-substituted compounds on [3H]serotonin and [3H]norepinephrine uptake implicate these neurotransmitters in the pharmacological effects of these drugs.

The term entactogen has recently been introduced to describe a new pharmacological class of compounds best represented by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA, and its alpha-ethyl homologue MBDB. The present study was designed to test the similarities of the discriminative stimulus properties produced by MDMA and MBDB, as well as to elaborate further the distinction between entactogens, hallucinogens and stimulants. Two groups of rats were trained to discriminate saline from either racemic MDMA hydrochloride (1.75 mg/kg) or S-(+)-amphetamine sulfate (1.0 mg/kg) in a two-lever drug discrimination task. The (+/-)-MDMA cue completely generalized to S-(+)-MDMA, S-(+)-amphetamine, (+/-)-MDA, S-(+)-MBDB, (+/-)-MBDB, R-(-)-MDMA, and R-(-)-MBDB, but not to LSD or DOM. The S-(+)-amphetamine cue generalized to (+/-)-methamphetamine, but not to racemic MDMA or MBDB, nor to their optical isomers. The S-(+)-isomers of both MDMA and MBDB were more potent than the R-(-)-isomers. The results indicate that MDMA and MBDB may share a component of their discriminative stimulus properties which is different from both stimulants and hallucinogens. Although MDA and MDMA have been shown to be amphetamine-like, the lack of stimulant effects for MBDB suggests that amphetamine-like stimulant activity is not necessary for a compound to share discriminative stimulus properties with MDMA.

A series of homologous N-alkyl-4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines was synthesized and examined for a dopamine-like ability to dilate the renal artery. The N-methyl derivative was equipotent to the 3',4'-dihydroxy derivative of the antidepressant agent nomifensine, indicating that the 8-amino group of the latter is not essential for dopamine-like activity. The N-ethyl homologue was reduced in potency when compared to the N-methyl, and the N-n-propyl, surprisingly, was essentially devoid of activity. This was unexpected in view of the fact that in all series of dopamine-like agents reported to date, N-alkylation, when one of the alkyls was an n-propyl group, either allowed retention or enhancement of potency.

An hallucinogen analogue, trans-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)cyclopropylamine (DMCPA), was resolved into ints two enantiomers by fractional crystallization of salts with d- or l-O,O-dibenzoyltartaric acid. A comparison of the ORD and CD curves of the N-5-bromosalicylidene derivatives of trans-2-phenylcyclopropylamine of known absolute configuration and of the title compound established the stereochemistry of the latter to be (1R,2S)-(-) and (1s,2r)-(+). We have earlier shown that the (-) isomer shows selective behavioral effects in cats and mice. In present study it was found that the (-) isomer selectively elicits rabbit hyperthermia when compared with the (+) isomer. In view of the stereoselective ability of the (-) isomer to elicit hallucinogen-like behavioral profiles in these animal models, the proof of absolute configuration lends further support to a new model which interrelates the active binding, conformation of phenethylamine hallucinogens to that of serotonin and tryptamines.

The possible neurotoxic effects of the alpha-ethyl homologue of MDMA, N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB), were examined following a regimen of twice daily dosing for four days. The levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and its metabolite 5-HIAA were quantitated by standard HPLC-EC techniques. In addition, the number of 5-HT uptake sites was estimated by examining the binding of [3H]-paroxetine to rat cortex homogenate. With 20 mg/kg (IP) subacute dosing of MDMA, a nearly 60% reduction in 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT uptake sites was found, with no change in NE, two weeks posttreatment. A behaviorally equipotent dose of MBDB (25 mg/kg, IP) also produced a significant decrease in the serotonergic markers; 5-HT, 5-HIAA and [3H]-paroxetine binding sites. However, a comparison of the relative toxic effects of MDMA and MBDB indicates that MBDB may be slightly less neurotoxic. It was also found that MDMA but not MBDB caused a significant increase in dopamine levels at 3 hours following a single IP injection. The results are discussed in relation to the therapeutic index of MBDB and the relative importance of dopamine release in the neurotoxicity of MDMA.