Synthesis and evaluation of brain catecholamine depletion by N-alkyl derivatives of 6-aminodopamine

Three analogs of 6-aminodopamine were synthesized and tested for their ability to deplete the central nervous system of norepinephrine and dopamine. The compounds were analogs in which the aliphatic nitrogen of the ethyl side chain was substituted with dimethyl, isopropyl, and methyl groups. The first two compounds showed only very weak depletion of norepinephrine stores, while having no effect on dopamine levels. The third compound was not tested due to its instability.