Phencyclidine-Like Abuse Liability and Psychosis-Like Neurocognitive Effects of Novel Arylcyclohexylamine Drugs of Abuse in Rodents
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics January 25, 2024 Hannah E. Shaw, D. R. Patel, Brenda M. Gannon et al.
Novel arylcyclohexylamine (ACX) analogs of PCP, PCE, and ketamine, which appear on the illicit market, show PCP-like abuse liability and varied toxicities. In mice, PCP-like ACXs were more effective locomotor stimulants than amphetamines, while ketamine-like ACXs were less effective. Adding -Cl, -OH, or -OMe at the 3-position did not affect locomotor effectiveness, but 4-OMe reduced it. Drugs with -OH at the 3-position or -OMe at the 3- or 4-position induced lethal effects. All novel ACXs partially substituted for PCP in rats, and PCP and 3-Cl-PCP caused dose-dependent psychosis-like neurocognitive deficits not seen with cocaine or morphine.