Behavioral profiles in rats distinguish among "ecstasy," methamphetamine and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine: Mixed effects for "ecstasy" analogues.
Behavioral neuroscience October 1, 2010 David Quinteros-Muñoz, Patricio Sáez-briones, Gabriela Díaz-véliz et al. 12 citations
MDMA (ecstasy) produces a unique set of behavioral effects in rats that distinguishes it from both stimulants and hallucinogens. In a series of behavioral tests, the effects of MDMA at various doses were compared with those of methamphetamine (a stimulant) and DOI (a hallucinogen). The behavioral profiles allowed researchers to differentiate MDMA from these other drugs. Additionally, four structural analogues of MDMA were tested, but none exactly replicated MDMA's profile, some resembling the stimulant or hallucinogen instead. This highlights MDMA's distinct pharmacological identity as an entactogen.