Related Experiment Videos
Stimulus properties of ring-methyl amphetamine analogs
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0540.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|December 1, 1990
Summary
This study compared three positional isomers of amphetamine, finding that only ortho-tolylaminopropane (oTAP) fully substituted for amphetamine's effects in rats. Meta- and para-tolylaminopropane (mTAP and pTAP) showed partial effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Medicinal Chemistry
Background:
- Methamphetamine analogs are investigated for their psychoactive properties.
- Positional isomers of methyl amphetamines, known as tolylaminopropanes (TAPs), include ortho- (oTAP), meta- (mTAP), and para- (pTAP).
- Limited comparative studies exist for these TAPs against (+)amphetamine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the stimulus effects of oTAP, mTAP, and pTAP with (+)amphetamine.
- To determine the degree of amphetamine-like stimulus generalization produced by each TAP isomer.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained to discriminate (+)amphetamine from saline.
- Stimulus generalization tests were performed using the three TAP isomers.
- Behavioral disruption at higher doses was also assessed.
Main Results:
- Only oTAP (ED50 = 4.1 mg/kg) produced complete stimulus generalization, substituting for (+)amphetamine.
- mTAP and pTAP induced partial generalization (approx. 50% amphetamine-appropriate responding).
- Higher doses of mTAP and pTAP led to behavioral disruption.
Conclusions:
- oTAP exhibits significant (+)amphetamine-like stimulus effects, approximately one-tenth as potent.
- The partial generalization by mTAP and pTAP, followed by disruption, suggests they may possess some amphetamine-like character, though not definitively.
- Further research is needed to fully characterize the behavioral pharmacology of mTAP and pTAP.