Hallucinogenic and stimulatory amphetamine derivatives: fingerprinting DOM, DOI, DOB, MDMA, and MBDB by spectral analysis of brain field potentials in the freely moving rat (Tele-Stereo-EEG).

Summary

The study analyzed brain activity in freely moving rats after injecting hallucinogenic and non-hallucinogenic amphetamine derivatives. Hallucinogenic compounds increased power in the alpha 1 frequency band, particularly in the striatum, while non-hallucinogens led to a decrease in power, especially in the alpha2 and delta bands. These findings suggest that 5-HT2 receptors in the striatum may play a role in the hallucinogenic effects of these drugs.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Telemetric recordings of field potentials from frontal cortex, hippocampus, striatum and reticular formation of freely moving rats were analysed before and after injection of the enantiomeric hallucinogenic amphetamine derivatives R-DOB [(-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenyl)-2-aminopropane], R-DOM [(-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-amino-propane] and R-DOI [(-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane] as well as the nonhallucinogenic amphetamine derivatives S-MBDB [(+)-N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)butanamine] and S-MDMA [(+)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine] and S-(+)-amphetamine. The frequency analysis of the field potentials revealed a clearcut difference between them. The spectral patterns emerging after injection of the non-hallucinogens were characterized by a general decrease of power, the changes in the alpha2 and delta band being the most prominent, whereas only after the application of the hallucinogenic compounds was a contrasting increase of power observed in the alpha 1 frequency band, especially in the striatum. As increases in alpha 1 power have been correlated in the same pharmacological model to serotonergic control mechanisms, the results are in line with the hypothesis that 5-HT2 receptors, predominantly occurring in the striatum, might be involved in the hallucinogenic action of drugs.