Behavioural Effects of Some 4-Substituted Amphetamines

Abstract

IN previous studies, Smythies et al.¹ have developed a behavioural test for animals, predictive of psychotomimetic activity in man. This test is based on a Sidman avoidance schedule and the results are presented in the form of a modified Bovet-Gatti profile. Using this test,. Smythies et al.² tested a series of tri, di and mono-methoxy phenylisopropylamines (amphetamines). Their results indicated that the essential feature of the “hallucinogenic” molecule in the series of compounds tested was the para-methoxy group. All compounds lacking this were inactive and compounds with additional groups were variously weaker. Para-methoxy amphetamine (PMA) proved to be the most potent hallucinogen tested. With a low dose a typical “low dose hallucinogenic” profile was obtained. With double this dose, bizarre behaviour was induced in both rats tested, and both rats died within a week of being injected with PMA.