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Simmler LD, Liechti ME. Pharmacology of MDMA- and Amphetamine-Like New Psychoactive Substances. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2018; 252:143-164. [PMID: 29633178 DOI: 10.1007/164_2018_113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) with amphetamine-, aminoindan-, and benzofuran basic chemical structures have recently emerged for recreational drug use. Detailed information about their psychotropic effects and health risks is often limited. At the same time, it emerged that the pharmacological profiles of these NPS resemble those of amphetamine or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Amphetamine-like NPS induce psychostimulation and euphoria mediated predominantly by norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) transporter (NET and DAT) inhibition and transporter-mediated release of NE and DA, thus showing a more catecholamine-selective profile. MDMA-like NPS frequently induce well-being, empathy, and prosocial effects and have only moderate psychostimulant properties. These MDMA-like substances primarily act by inhibiting the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) and NET, also inducing 5-HT and NE release. Monoamine receptor interactions vary considerably among amphetamine- and MDMA-like NPS. Clinically, amphetamine- and MDMA-like NPS can induce sympathomimetic toxicity. The aim of this chapter is to review the state of knowledge regarding these substances with a focus on the description of the in vitro pharmacology of selected amphetamine- and MDMA-like NPS. In addition, it is aimed to provide links between pharmacological profiles and in vivo effects and toxicity, which leads to the conclusion that abuse liability for amphetamine-like NPS may be higher than for MDMA-like NPS, but that the risk for developing the life-threatening serotonin syndrome may be increased for MDMA-like NPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda D Simmler
- Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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Bauer CT, Banks ML, Blough BE, Negus SS. Rate-dependent effects of monoamine releasers on intracranial self-stimulation in rats: implications for abuse liability assessment. Behav Pharmacol 2013; 24:448-58. [PMID: 23851484 PMCID: PMC4028167 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e328363d1a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
'Rate dependency' in the discipline of behavioral pharmacology describes a phenomenon wherein the effect of a drug on the rate of a behavior varies systematically as a function of the baseline, predrug rate of that behavior. Historically, rate-dependency studies have compared drug effects on different baseline rates of behavior maintained either by different schedules of reinforcement or during sequential segments of a fixed-interval schedule. The current experiment generated different baseline rates of behavior by altering frequency of electrical stimulation in an intracranial self-stimulation assay. Amphetamine and 10 other monoamine releasers were analyzed for their ability to produce rate-dependent effects in this assay. There were three main findings. First, all compounds produced rate-dependent effects at some dose. Second, one parameter of rate-dependency plots (peak Y-intercept of the regression line) correlated with in-vitro neurochemical data on selectivity of these compounds to release dopamine versus serotonin (P<0.025, R=0.50). Lastly, a correlation between peak Y-intercept and breakpoints under a progressive-ratio procedure in nonhuman primates was also significant (P<0.05, R=0.64). Overall, these results extend the rate-dependent effects of monoamine releasers to behavior maintained under intracranial self-stimulation and suggest that, at least for monoamine releasers, the Y-intercept parameter of rate-dependency plots might be a useful metric of drug reward and predictor of drug self-administration measures of drug reinforcement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton T Bauer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Trachsel D. Fluorine in psychedelic phenethylamines. Drug Test Anal 2012; 4:577-90. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Wang Z, Woolverton WL. Estimating the relative reinforcing strength of (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its isomers in rhesus monkeys: comparison to (+)-methamphetamine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2007; 189:483-8. [PMID: 17063335 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-006-0599-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2006] [Accepted: 09/21/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE (+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an analog of methamphetamine (MA) and a drug of abuse. MA, MDMA, and its isomers release monoamine neurotransmitters with varying selectivities and would, therefore, be predicted to vary in their relative strength as reinforcers. OBJECTIVES This study compared self-administration of MA, MDMA, and its isomers using a progressive-ratio schedule in rhesus monkeys. METHODS Rhesus monkeys [n = 6, MA and MDMA; n = 5, (+)-MDMA and (-)-MDMA] were prepared with chronic i.v. catheters and allowed to self-administer cocaine or saline in daily baseline sessions. When responding was stable, MA (0.006-0.1 mg/kg per injection), MDMA (0.025-0.8 mg/kg injection), (+)-MDMA (0.025-0.8 mg/kg per injection), or (-)-MDMA (0.05-0.8 mg/kg per injection) was made available in test sessions. RESULTS MA, MDMA, and (+)-MDMA functioned as positive reinforcers in all monkeys with a potency relationship of MA > (+)-MDMA > (+/-)-MDMA. Two of five monkeys took (-)-MDMA above saline levels. Dose-response relationships were biphasic for MA and (+/-)-MDMA, and asymptotic for (+)-MDMA. In terms of maximum number of injection per session, a measure of relative reinforcing strength, the order was MA > (+)-MDMA = (+/-)-MDMA > (-)-MDMA. CONCLUSIONS MDMA and (+)-MDMA were consistent positive reinforcers, but weaker than MA, whereas (-)-MDMA was, at best, a weak reinforcer in some monkeys. The reinforcing strength of MDMA appears to derive primarily from (+)-MDMA. Because MDMA and its isomers have been shown to have relatively higher serotonin to dopamine releasing potency, these data support the hypothesis that increasing 5-HT releasing potency relative to DA is associated with weaker reinforcing effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixia Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
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Wee S, Anderson KG, Baumann MH, Rothman RB, Blough BE, Woolverton WL. Relationship between the serotonergic activity and reinforcing effects of a series of amphetamine analogs. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2005; 313:848-54. [PMID: 15677348 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.104.080101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been reported that among drugs with mixed actions on central nervous system monoamine systems, increased serotonergic activity is associated with decreased potency as a reinforcer. The present experiment was designed to examine this relationship for amphetamine analogs that varied in serotonin releasing potency and to evaluate whether serotonergic actions can affect reinforcing efficacy. Compounds PAL 313 and 314 are para- and meta-methylamphetamine, respectively. PAL 303 and 353 are para- and meta-fluoroamphetamine, respectively. All compounds had similar potencies as in vitro releasers of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) but differed in potency for 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) (5-HT) release [EC(50) (nanomolar) PAL 313 = 53.4; PAL 314 = 218; PAL 303 = 939; PAL 353 = 1937]. When made available to rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)(n = 4) for self-administration under a fixed-ratio 25 schedule, all were positive reinforcers with biphasic dose-response functions (0.003-1.0 mg/kg) and were equipotent. PAL 313 was self-administered at a lower rate than the other compounds, which were indistinguishable. Under a progressive-ratio schedule (n = 5), all drugs were positive reinforcers. Dose-response functions increased to a maximum or were biphasic (0.01-1.0 mg/kg), and drugs were equipotent. At maximum, PAL 313 maintained less responding than other PAL drugs, which maintained similar maxima. Thus, all compounds were positive reinforcers under both schedules, consistent with their potent DA actions. Responding was lower when 5-HT potency was higher and comparable with DA and NE potency. The results suggest that the mechanism for this effect involves a decrease in reinforcing potency and efficacy among monoamine releasing agents when 5-HT releasing potency is increased relative to DA.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Wee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, 39216-4505, USA
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Fasciano J, Steele T, Castagnoli N, Katz J, Ricaurte G. The effect of N-methylation on fenfluramine's neurotoxic and pharmacologic actions. Brain Res 1997; 763:182-90. [PMID: 9296558 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-8993(97)00110-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
N-Methylation separates methamphetamine's neurotoxic and pharmacologic effects. In particular, N-methylation eliminates methamphetamine's neurotoxic activity while preserving its behavioral pharmacologic activity. The purpose of the present studies was to determine whether N-methylation could also be used to separate fenfluramine's neurotoxic and pharmacologic effects. Fenfluramine-induced serotonin neurotoxicity was assessed by measuring serotonin axonal markers 2 weeks after fenfluramine administration. Pharmacologic effects of fenfluramine were assessed by measuring fenfluramine-induced anorexia and fenfluramine discrimination. Both fenfluramine and its N-methylated analog, N-methylfenfluramine, produced dose-related effects in food intake, drug-discrimination and neurotoxicity studies. Although N-methylation reduced the neurotoxic potency of fenfluramine, it also reduced its pharmacologic activity. Neurotoxic potency was reduced 4- to 8-fold (depending on brain region), while pharmacologic potency was reduced 4- to 10-fold (depending on paradigm). Notably, N-methylation did not change the efficacy of fenfluramine as a serotonin neurotoxin, anorectic agent or discrimination stimulus. These results indicate that fenfluramine's behavioral and neurotoxic effects, unlike those of methamphetamine, are not dissociated by N-methylation. Further, the present results suggest that the effectiveness of side-chain nitrogen substitution in separating the behavioral and neurotoxic effects of amphetamine derivatives is strongly influenced by ring substitutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fasciano
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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Locke KW, Levesque TR, Nicholson KL, Balster RL. Dexfenfluramine lacks amphetamine-like abuse potential. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 1996; 20:1019-35. [PMID: 8888108 DOI: 10.1016/0278-5846(96)00081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
1. The amphetamine-like abuse potential of dexfenfluramine (dFEN) was evaluated using drug discrimination and self-administration procedures. 2. Male Fischer rats were trained to discriminate either dFEN (1.0 mg/kg) or d-amphetamine (dAMP; 1.0 mg/kg) from saline in a two-choice discrete-trial avoidance paradigm. 3. In dAMP-trained rats, dFEN (0.5-4.0 mg/kg) engendered almost exclusively saline-appropriate responding. In dFEN-trained rats, dAMP (1.0-4.0 mg/kg) engendered entirely saline-appropriate responding in 3 of 6 rats and intermediate levels of dFEN-appropriate responding in the remaining animals. 4. Potential reinforcing effects of dFEN were also evaluated in 3 male rhesus monkeys trained to self-administer cocaine (i.v.) during daily 60 min sessions under a fixed-ratio (FR)-10 schedule. 5. Various doses of dFEN (30-1000 micrograms/kg/infusion) and dAMP (10 micrograms/kg/infusion) were substituted for cocaine in 4 consecutive daily sessions. In all subjects, dFEN maintained rates of self-administration within the range of rates maintained by saline and considerably below those maintained by cocaine and dAMP. Furthermore, the within-session distribution of responding with dFEN resembled that produced by saline. 6. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that dFEN will not have amphetamine-like abuse potential in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- K W Locke
- Interneuron Pharmaceuticals Inc., Lexington, MA, USA
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Abstract
The hedonic properties of the anorectic agent fenfluramine (0.25, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg) were assessed in two experiments in a place conditioning paradigm. After four conditioning trials, rats were tested for their preference for a drug-paired chamber, saline-paired chamber, and a novel chamber. Fenfluramine produced a place aversion at doses of 2.5-10 mg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Davies
- Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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Tessel RE. Noradrenergic processes in the behavioral actions of psychomotor stimulants. Drug Dev Res 1990. [DOI: 10.1002/ddr.430200310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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10
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Glennon RA, Yousif M, Patrick G. Stimulus properties of 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane (MDA) analogs. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1988; 29:443-9. [PMID: 2896360 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(88)90001-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Using a standard two-lever operant procedure, groups of rats were trained to discriminate intraperitoneal doses of the phenylisopropylamines (+)amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) or racemic 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM; 1.0 mg/kg) from saline using a VI 15-sec schedule of reinforcement for food reward. Once trained, the animals were administered doses of several methylenedioxy analogs (MDAs) of phenylisopropylamine including the N-monomethyl [S(+)MDMA and R(-)MDMA], N-monoethyl [(+/-)MDE, S(+)MDE, and R(-)MDE], and the N-hydroxyl [(+/-)N-OH MDA] derivatives. The DOM-stimulus did not generalize to any of these agents. The amphetamine-stimulus generalized to S(+)MDMA, S(+)N-ethylamphetamine and (+/-)N-hydroxyamphetamine, but not to R(-)MDMA, (+/-)MDE, S(+)MDE, R(-)MDE, or N-OH MDA. The present results are consistent with other reports in the literature suggesting that the psychoactive effects of certain MDA derivatives may be other than simply amphetamine- or DOM-like.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Glennon
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298
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Abstract
Several phenylethylamines are under consideration for international control. The effects of repeated administration of these compounds, including tolerance, physical dependence and central nervous system (CNS) toxicity, are reviewed here. The compounds can be divided into two major chemical groups: those with substituents on the ethylamine portion of the molecule and those with substituents on the phenyl ring. Although the effects of repeated administration have not been directly determined for most of the compounds, certain representative compounds of each chemical group have been examined in some detail. Prominent among the effects of repeated administration are CNS toxicity and tolerance development. Physical dependence has not been reported for any of these compounds. Future research with these compounds should emphasize the investigation of the CNS toxicity and the functional consequences of such effects for the organism.
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Woolverton WL, Shybut G, Johanson CE. Structure-activity relationships among some d-N-alkylated amphetamines. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1980; 13:869-76. [PMID: 7208552 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(80)90221-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
d-N-Alkylated amphetamines were synthesized in a series up to and including d-N-butylamphetamine and potencies of these compounds were compared in (1) rhesus monkeys allowed to respond for intravenous infusions of the drugs, (2) rats allowed to drink a milk solution for 15 minutes each day and (3) isolated, spontaneously beating guinea-pig atria. In the self-administration procedure, d-amphetamine (A), d-N-methylamphetamine (NMA), and d-N-ethylamphetamine (NEA) were self-administered above saline levels at two or more doses by all animals. For these three drugs, maximal response rates were found at similar doses in all animals. However, maximal rates were generally higher in animals maintained on pentobarbital than in animals maintained on cocaine under control conditions. d-N-propylamphetamine (NPA) was self-administered above saline levels by three of four animals at one or more doses. Maximal response rates for NPA were about 1/2 of that of A, NMA and NEA, and the dose-response curve was shifted to the right of these compounds by about 4 times. d-N-butylamphetamine (NBA) maintained responding above saline levels at two doses in only one of three animals. In rats, all of the compounds decreased milk intake in a dose-related manner. A, NMA and NEA were equipotent in disrupting intake, while NPA and NBA were, respectively, 1/4 and 1/6 as potent as the shorter-chain compounds. With the exception of NBA, all compounds increased the rate of beating of the guinea-pig atrium over the range of concentrations tested. In general, for substituents larger than ethyl, potency of d-N-alkylated amphetamines was inversely related to N-alkyl length.
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Predicting the Abuse Liability of Drugs with Animal Drug Self-Administration Procedures: Psychomotor Stimulants and Hallucinogens. ADVANCES IN BEHAVIORAL PHARMACOLOGY 1979. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-004702-4.50010-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Harris AD, Snell D, Loh HH. Effects of stimulants, anorectics, and related drugs on schedule-controlled behavior. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1978; 56:49-55. [PMID: 24228 DOI: 10.1007/bf00571408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Abstract
Pigeons obtained food on a progressive-ratio schedule that required 8 additional responses for each successive reinforcement. The number of responses in the final completed ratio of the session was defined as the breaking point. When cocaine was administered (IM, 5 min presession), the breaking point increased and then decreased as a function of increasing doses (0.3-10 mg/kg). In contrast, across the same range of doses of fenfluramine, the breaking point only decreased. At doses of each drug that decreased the breaking point, the high running rate of responding was interrupted by pauses. At doses of cocaine that increased the breaking point, the running rate was also disrupted, but the disruption was characterized by lower, irregular rates rather than pausing. The increases in breaking point observed at 3 mg/kg of cocaine were no longer seen when fenfluramine was administered at the same time.
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Abstract
As time increased between drug administration and the start of experimental sessions, effects of drugs on food-maintained responding in rhesus monkeys increased to a maximum and then decreased. d-Amphetamine, ethanol, and alpha-l-acetylmethadol (LAAM) generally decreased high response rates in one component of a chain schedule, while very low response rates in another component were increased reliably only by ethanol. The time of peak LAAM and ethanol concentrations in blood or plasma corresponded with or overlapped the time of maximal behavioral effect, while the time of maximal behavioral effect with d-amphetamine occurred somewhat prior to the time of peak plasma-amphetamine concentration. With d-amphetamine and perhaps with ethanol, effects on operant responding were greater after 30-min pretreatment intervals than after six-hr pretreatment intervals despite higher plasma or blood concentrations at six hours than at 30 min.
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Griffiths RR, Winger G, Brady JV, Snell JD. Comparison of behavior maintained by infusions of eight phenylethylamines in baboons. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1976; 50:251-8. [PMID: 826970 DOI: 10.1007/bf00426841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Doses of eight phenylethylamines were substituted for cocaine on a drug-maintained behavior baseline in baboons. Intravenous infusions of drug were contingent upon completion of 160 lever presses (a 160-response fixed-ratio schedule; FR 160). A 3-h time-out period followed each infusion, permitting a maximum of 8 infusions per day. Fenfluramine was the only drug that did not maintain self-infusion performance at any dose tested. d-Amphetamine was approximately 10 times more potent than phentermine, phenmetrazine or diethylpropion, and 20 to 30 times more potent than methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), clortermine or chlorphentermine, in maintaining self-infusion behavior. Some doses of d-amphetamine and phentermine produced a cyclic pattern of drug intake over days. Increasing self-infused doses of all drugs produced a substantial suppression of concurrent food-maintained behavior. There was no clear relation between the potency of the phenylethylamines in maintaining self-infusion performance and the potency in suppressing food-maintained behavior which indicates that different mechanisms may underlie the two effects. Examination of chemical structures indicates that substitution on the phenyl ring may decrease the potency of phenylethylamines in maintaining self-infusion behavior.
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