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Abstract

Various ring-substituted α-methylphenethylamines (i.e., amphetamines) produce psychedelic-like effects that are primarily mediated by activity at 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptors. Small lipophilic substituents at the 4-position of the 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine core structure can greatly enhance the clinical potency of such derivatives. Here, we studied the effects of various 4-alkylated 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamines (4-methyl, 4-ethyl, 4-propyl, 4-butyl, 4-amyl) on in vitro receptor activities and in vivo psychedelic-like effects in mice. The acute effects of the compounds were examined using the mouse head-twitch response (HTR) assay, a proxy for psychedelic-like drug actions. Overall, the series primarily interacted with 5-HT2 receptor subtypes, with increasing 4-alkyl chain length associated with increased affinity at 5-HT2A receptors. For all three in vitro functional readouts assessed, the 4-propyl analog produced the highest potencies for 5-HT2A receptor activation (1-9 nM), but smaller and longer chain lengths displayed comparable activities (2-56 nM). In mice, the compounds displayed variable maximal HTR counts (23-119) and potencies (0.42-2.76 mg/kg), with the 4-propyl and 4-methyl compounds being the most potent and efficacious, respectively. Analysis of drug concentrations in mouse plasma, brain tissue, and brain dialysate samples revealed that derivatives with longer alkyl chains (i.e., butyl, amyl) require higher systemic doses to achieve concentrations comparable to those of short-chain analogs. These findings demonstrate that extending the 4-position alkyl chain beyond a propyl group reduces in vivo potency and efficacy, in part due to pharmacokinetic parameters.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: MCH is an employee of F. Hoffmann-La Roche; MEL is a consultant for Mind Medicine, Inc. The other authors do not have any conflicts of interest to declare for this study. Ethics approval: Animal studies were approved by the NIDA IRP Animal Care and Use Committee (protocol # 23-OSD-37) or the Cantonal Veterinary Office Basel-Stadt (license # 3213_36052).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Structures of 4-alkylated 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (2,5-DMA) derivatives.
“DO” stands for desoxy, and last letters indicate the alkyl chain: methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or amyl.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Acute psychedelic-like effects as well as brain and plasma concentrations of 2,5-DMA derivatives varying in 4-alkyl chain length.
A Dose–response for total number of HTRs induced by each drug (n = 4–6 mice per dose). Time course of HTR events across the testing session for B DOM, C DOPR, D DOBU, E DOAM, and F 2,5-DMA. G HTR counts prior to brain and blood collection (n = 10 mice per drug), H plasma and I brain tissue levels, as well as J the drug level ratios. Values shown in panels AG are means ± SEM, while panels H–J are means with 95% CI; further statistical information and exact sample sizes are provided in Table S3. Individual values for the dose–response curves in panel A are shown in Fig. S3.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Within-subject microdialysis of DOM and DOAM in the striatum.
A Experimental details. B Representative Hoechst-stained section showing location of microdialysis probe (arrow). DOM and DOAM levels measured in C plasma, D brain tissue, and E dialysate. F Levels of DOAM relative to DOM. Data are means ± SEM, n = 5 mice. Further statistical information is provided in the results section.

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