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MDMA-like behavioral effects of N-substituted piperazines in the mouse
1Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|July 27, 2007
Summary
N-substituted piperazines like BZP and TFMPP show stimulant and hallucinogen-like effects in mice, respectively. These findings highlight distinct behavioral profiles among piperazine analogues and their relationship to MDMA.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- N-substituted piperazines are associated with MDMA (ecstasy) abuse potential.
- Limited research exists on the subjective effects of these piperazine compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral effects of N-substituted piperazines in mice.
- To assess their capacity to induce head twitch response, alter locomotor activity, and produce MDMA-like discriminative stimulus effects.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered various doses of l-benzylpiperazine (BZP), 1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl) piperazine (TFMPP), 1-(3-methoxybenzyl) piperazine (m-MeO-BZP), and meta-chlorophenyl piperazine (m-CPP).
- Behavioral endpoints included head twitch response, locomotor activity, and drug discrimination assays using MDMA-trained mice.
Main Results:
- BZP increased locomotor activity dose-dependently; TFMPP and m-CPP decreased it. TFMPP elicited a head twitch response comparable to MDMA enantiomers.
- BZP, TFMPP, and m-CPP fully substituted for S(+)-MDMA, while m-MeO-BZP partially substituted for both S(+)- and R(-)-MDMA.
Conclusions:
- BZP exhibits stimulant-like effects, and TFMPP demonstrates hallucinogen-like effects in mice.
- Structural analogues of these piperazines do not share identical behavioral profiles.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the relationship between N-substituted piperazines and MDMA.
