p-methylthioamphetamine is a potent new
non-neurotoxic serotonin-releasing agent
by
Huang X, Marona-Lewicka D, Nichols DE.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology,
Purdue University,
School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences,
West Lafayette, IN 47907.
Eur J Pharmacol 1992 Dec 8;229(1):31-8

ABSTRACT

p-Methylthioamphetamine (MTA), was compared to p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) in a number of pharmacological assays. MTA was about 2-fold more potent than PCA at inhibiting synaptosomal uptake of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT), and about 7-fold and 10-fold less potent than PCA at inhibiting synaptosomal uptake of [3H]dopamine and [3H]norepinephrine, respectively. In drug discrimination assays, MTA was nearly equipotent to PCA in animals trained to discriminate saline from 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or two related analogues S-(+)-N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (S-MBDB) or 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan (MMAI). MTA caused dose-dependent increases of tritium efflux from superfused rat frontal cortex slices preloaded with [3H]5-HT, comparable to that induced by an equal molar concentration of PCA. The potential neurotoxicity of MTA was examined by measuring monoamine and metabolite levels at one week following an acute dose. A 10 mg/kg dose of PCA caused a 70-90% decrease of cortical, hippocampal and striatal 5-HT and 5-hydoxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels, while twice the molar dose of MTA (21.3 mg/kg) had no effect. Thus, MTA is a potent, selective, serotonin releaser, apparently devoid of serotonin neurotoxic effects. This work also supports the idea that catecholamine systems may play a critical role in the neurotoxicity of PCA-like compounds.

4-MTA use
Controversies
4-MTA ('flatliner')
Protect and survive
4-MTA and serotonin
Ecstasy and serotonin synthesis
Serotonin-releasing agents as fast-acting antidepressants?

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family