Phencyclidine-like in vivo effects of methoxetamine in mice and rats
Neuropharmacology August 19, 2017 Michael D. Berquist, W. Hyatt, Jonathan J. Bauer-Erickson et al.
Methoxetamine (MXE), a drug structurally similar to phencyclidine (PCP), produces PCP-like internal effects in rats but is less reinforcing and less stimulating. In drug discrimination tests, MXE and related compounds triggered PCP-lever selection in rats trained to recognize PCP, though MXE caused behavioral disruption in some animals. After continuous PCP infusion, withdrawal disrupted food-rewarded behavior, which MXE dose-dependently reversed. In self-administration tests, MXE was a weaker reinforcer than PCP. In mice, MXE, PCP, and PCE all caused dose-dependent drops in body temperature, but only PCP increased movement. These results suggest MXE shares PCP's subjective effects but has lower abuse potential.