Utilizing Caenorhabditis Elegans as a Rapid and Precise Model for Assessing Amphetamine-Type Stimulants: A Novel Approach to Evaluating New Psychoactive Substances Activity and Mechanisms.
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) May 1, 2025 Yuanpeng Li, Hongyuan Li, Hongshuang Wang et al. 3 citations
Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and their analogs can be rapidly evaluated using the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. In a swimming-induced paralysis assay, worms exposed to amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and their enantiomers showed distinct behavioral responses depending on their genetic makeup. The effects depended on dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways, specifically the DOP-3 and SER-4 receptors. The assay also distinguished between chiral forms of ATS, and meta-R amphetamines produced stronger effects than ortho-R and para-R analogs. This method offers a cost-effective, high-throughput way to assess the activity and toxicity of new psychoactive substances.