New insights into methoxetamine mechanisms of action: Focus on serotonergic 5-HT2 receptors in pharmacological and behavioral effects in the rat.
Experimental neurology November 1, 2021 Matteo Marti, Giuseppe Talani, Cristina Miliano et al. 6 citations
Methoxetamine (MXE), a ketamine-like designer drug, alters serotonin levels in the rat medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. Blocking serotonin 5-HT2 receptors with selective antagonists attenuated MXE's motor and sensory effects and prevented its reduction of prepulse inhibition, indicating these receptors are key to MXE's sensorimotor actions. In vitro, MXE inhibited NMDA-mediated field potentials and GABA-mediated spontaneous currents in a concentration-dependent manner but did not affect AMPA components or presynaptic glutamate release. The findings suggest MXE acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, with 5-HT2 receptors crucial for its sensorimotor effects and NMDA and GABA receptors as additional targets.