Amphetamine derivatives induce locomotor hyperactivity by acting as indirect serotonin agonists.
Psychopharmacology January 1, 1991 C W Callaway, M P Johnson, L H Gold et al. 70 citations
MBDB, a derivative of amphetamine that releases little or no dopamine, caused rats to become hyperactive and suppressed their exploratory behaviors, similar to the effects of MDMA. This hyperactivity lasted over 60 minutes at higher doses. Pretreatment with fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, blocked MBDB-induced hyperactivity, indicating that the behavioral effects depend on serotonin release rather than dopamine release. Fluoxetine also blocked hyperactivity from related drugs S-(+)3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and p-chloroamphetamine. Tissue measurements showed decreased serotonin and its metabolite 5-HIAA after MBDB or S-(+)MDMA, which was prevented by fluoxetine. S-(+)MDMA increased dopamine levels in a fluoxetine-sensitive manner, suggesting serotonin release may indirectly influence dopamine.