Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Ring-Methylated Derivatives of 3,4-(Methylenedioxy)amphetamine (MDA)
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry February 24, 1998 Matthew Parker, Danuta Marona‐lewicka, Deborah M. Kurrasch et al. 25 citations
Adding a methyl group to the 2 or 5 position of the ring of MDA produces compounds that are more potent and more selective than MDA itself at releasing serotonin in rat brain tissue. The 2-methyl and 5-methyl derivatives were tested in rats trained to distinguish serotonin-releasing drugs from saline, confirming their activity in living animals. These compounds are among the most potent serotonin-releasing agents known and may serve as leads for developing antidepressants that work by releasing serotonin rather than blocking its reuptake.