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Simon D. Brandt

Liverpool John Moores University, Özyeğin University

84 papers in the library · 2,241 citations · publishing 2004-2026

Papers

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In vivo and in vitro toxicokinetics including metabolism, isozyme mapping, and monoamine oxidase inhibition of three (2-aminopropyl)benzo[b]thiophene (APBT) psychedelics.

Toxicology March 1, 2026 Lea Wagmann, Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh et al.

3-(2-Aminopropyl)benzo[b]thiophene (3-APBT), 5-APBT, and 6-APBT are recently identified psychedelics and entactogens that activate serotonin 2 receptor subtypes and lead to a head-twitch response in mice. The present study characterized their toxicokinetics, metabolism, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition using liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Metabolites were...

DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2026.154402 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Lc-hrms/ms Mao inhibition Metabolism New psychoactive substances +1

Analytical and behavioral characterization of 1-hexanoyl-LSD (1H-LSD).

Drug Testing and Analysis April 1, 2025 Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Sarah Gare et al. 4 citations

The development of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) derivatives and analogs continues to inform the design of novel receptor probes and potentially new medicines. On the other hand, a number of newly developed LSD derivatives have also emerged as recreational drugs, leading to reports of their detection in some countries. One position in the ergoline scaffold of LSD that is frequently targeted...

DOI: 10.1002/dta.3767 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) LSD Psychedelics hallucinogens Acid research Head‐twitch response +6

Analytical and behavioral characterization of 1-dodecanoyl-LSD (1DD-LSD).

Drug Testing and Analysis 2025 Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal, Benedikt Pulver et al. 8 citations

1-Acetyl-N,N-diethyllysergamide (1A-LSD, ALD-52) was first synthesized in the 1950s and found to produce psychedelic effects similar to those of LSD. Evidence suggests that ALD-52 serves as a prodrug in vivo and hydrolysis to LSD is likely responsible for its activity. Extension of the N1-alkylcarbonyl chain gives rise to novel lysergamides, which spurred further investigations into their...

DOI: 10.1002/dta.3691 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Head‐twitch response New psychoactive substances Psychedelics hallucinogens Psychedelic drugs +7

Analytical and Pharmacological Characterization of 1-(Furan-2-Carbonyl)-LSD (1F-LSD) and Comparison With 1-(Thiophene-2-Carbonyl)-LSD (1T-LSD).

Drug Testing and Analysis December 3, 2024 Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Sarah Gare et al. 5 citations

The classical psychedelic drug (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) continues to attract considerable multidisciplinary interest, and over the last eight decades, many derivatives and analogs of LSD have been synthesized. One site on the ergoline scaffold of LSD that has been frequently modified is the N1-position, with the N1-acylated LSD derivative 1-acetyl-LSD (1A-LSD, ALD-52) being one of...

DOI: 10.1002/dta.3829 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) LSD Research Prodrugs Psychopharmacology Head‐twitch response +2

Bioisosteric analogs of MDMA: Improving the pharmacological profile?

Journal of Neurochemistry September 1, 2024 Ana Sofia Alberto-Silva, Selina Hemmer, Hailey A. Bock et al. 10 citations

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is re-emerging in clinical settings as a candidate for the treatment of specific neuropsychiatric disorders (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder) in combination with psychotherapy. MDMA is a psychoactive drug, typically regarded as an empathogen or entactogen, which leads to transporter-mediated monoamine release. Despite its therapeutic...

DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16149 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Psychopharmacology Drug-development Mental-health MDMA-Research +1

Acute psychotropic, autonomic, and endocrine effects of 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI) compared with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in human volunteers: A self-administration study.

Drug Testing and Analysis September 1, 2024 Verena Angerer, Yasmin Schmid, Florian Franz et al. 6 citations

The acute psychoactive, autonomic, and endocrine effects of the new psychoactive substance (NPS) 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI; 3.0 mg/kg, range 180-228 mg) were investigated in six healthy volunteers (four males, two females) in a non-blinded fashion without placebo. Subjective, cardiovascular, and endocrine responses were compared with two different doses of...

DOI: 10.1002/dta.3622 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Entactogens New psychoactive substances Pharmacokinetics Psychometric

Bioisosteric analogs of MDMA with improved pharmacological profile.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology April 11, 2024 Ana Sofia Alberto-Silva, Selina Hemmer, Hailey A. Bock et al. preprint

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ' ecstasy' ) is re-emerging in clinical settings as a candidate for the treatment of specific psychiatric disorders (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder) in combination with psychotherapy. MDMA is a psychoactive drug, typically regarded as an empathogen or entactogen, which leads to transporter-mediated monoamine release. Despite its therapeutic...

DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588083 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Psychedelics Drug development Mental health therapy MDMA Research

Analytical and behavioral characterization of N-ethyl-N-isopropyllysergamide (EIPLA), an isomer of N6 -ethylnorlysergic acid N,N-diethylamide (ETH-LAD).

Drug Testing and Analysis February 1, 2024 Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al. 5 citations

Preclinical investigations have shown that N-ethyl-N-isopropyllysergamide (EIPLA) exhibits lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-like properties, which suggests that it might show psychoactive effects in humans. EIPLA is also an isomer of N6 -ethylnorlysergic acid N,N-diethylamide (ETH-LAD), a lysergamide known to produce psychedelic effects in humans that emerged as a research chemical. EIPLA was...

DOI: 10.1002/dta.3530 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) LSD Blotters New psychoactive substances Psychedelics +4

Use of the head-twitch response to investigate the structure–activity relationships of 4-thio-substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenylalkylamines

Psychopharmacology December 7, 2022 Adam L. Halberstadt, Dino Luethi, Marius C. Hoener et al. 7 citations

Abstract Rationale 4-Thio-substituted phenylalkylamines such as 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylthiophenethylamine (2C-T-2) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4- n -propylthiophenethylamine (2C-T-7) produce psychedelic effects in humans and have been distributed as recreational drugs. Objectives The present studies were conducted to examine the structure–activity relationships (SAR) of a series of 4-thio-substituted...

Analytical profile, in vitro metabolism and behavioral properties of the lysergamide 1P‐AL‐LAD

Drug Testing and Analysis May 7, 2022 Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al. 14 citations

Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is known to induce powerful psychoactive effects in humans, which cemented its status as an important tool for clinical research. A range of analogues and derivatives has been investigated over the years, including those classified as new psychoactive substances. This study presents the characterization of the novel lysergamide N , N...

(2-Aminopropyl)benzo[β]thiophenes (APBTs) are novel monoamine transporter ligands that lack stimulant effects but display psychedelic-like activity in mice.

Neuropsychopharmacology March 1, 2022 Deborah Rudin, John D. Mccorvy, Grant C. Glatfelter et al. 18 citations

Derivatives of (2-aminopropyl)indole (API) and (2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (APB) are new psychoactive substances which produce stimulant effects in vivo. (2-Aminopropyl)benzo[β]thiophene (APBT) is a novel sulfur-based analog of API and APB that has not been pharmacologically characterized. In the current study, we assessed the pharmacological effects of six APBT positional isomers in vitro, and...

DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01221-0 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Psychedelics Neuropharmacology Therapeutic applications Drug discovery

Interaction Profiles of Central Nervous System Active Drugs at Human Organic Cation Transporters 1-3 and Human Plasma Membrane Monoamine Transporter.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences November 30, 2021 Thomas J F Angenoorth, Stevan Stankovic, Marco Niello et al. 18 citations

Many psychoactive compounds have been shown to primarily interact with high-affinity and low-capacity solute carrier 6 (SLC6) monoamine transporters for norepinephrine (NET; norepinephrine transporter), dopamine (DAT; dopamine transporter) and serotonin (SERT; serotonin transporter). Previous studies indicate an overlap between the inhibitory capacities of substances at SLC6 and SLC22 human...

Return of the lysergamides. Part VII: Analytical and behavioural characterization of 1‐valeroyl‐d‐lysergic acid diethylamide (1V‐LSD)

Drug Testing and Analysis November 27, 2021 Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al. 19 citations

Abstract The psychopharmacological properties of the psychedelic drug lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have attracted the interest of several generations of scientists. While further explorations involving novel LSD‐type compounds are needed to assess their potential as medicinal drugs, the emergence of novel derivatives as recreational drugs has also been observed. 1‐Valeroyl‐LSD (also known...

Separating the wheat from the chaff: Observations on the analysis of lysergamides LSD, MIPLA, and LAMPA

Drug Testing and Analysis May 22, 2021 Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al. 12 citations

Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent psychoactive substance that has attracted great interest in clinical research. As the pharmacological exploration of LSD analogs continues to grow, some of those analogs have appeared on the street market. Given that LSD analogs are uncontrolled in many jurisdictions, it is important that these analogs be differentiated from LSD. This report...

DOI: 10.1002/dta.3103 (opens in new tab) Electron ionization Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry Derivatization Tandem mass spectrometry

Comparative effects of (S)-ketamine and racemic (R/S)-ketamine on psychopathology, state of consciousness and neurocognitive performance in healthy volunteers.

European Neuropsychopharmacology March 2021 Torsten Passie, Hans-Anton Adams, Frank Logemann et al.

Ketamine and its (S)-enantiomer show distinct psychological effects that are investigated in psychiatric research. Its antidepressant activity may depend on the extent and quality of these psychological effects which may greatly differ between the enantiomers. Previous data indicate that the (S)-ketamine isomer is a more potent anesthetic than (R)-ketamine. In contrast, in subanesthetic doses...

Investigation of the Structure–Activity Relationships of Psilocybin Analogues

ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science December 14, 2020 Adam K. Klein, Muhammad Chatha, Lauren J. Laskowski et al. 103 citations

The 5-HT2A receptor is thought to be the primary target for psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) and other serotonergic hallucinogens (psychedelic drugs). Although a large amount of experimental work has been conducted to characterize the pharmacology of psilocybin and its dephosphorylated metabolite psilocin (4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), there has been little systematic...

The psychoactive aminoalkylbenzofuran derivatives, 5-APB and 6-APB, mimic the effects of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) on monoamine transmission in male rats.

Psychopharmacology December 2020 Simon D. Brandt, Hailey M Walters, John S. Partilla et al.

The nonmedical use of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is a worldwide public health concern. The so-called "benzofury" compounds, 5-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (5-APB) and 6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (6-APB), are NPS with stimulant-like properties in human users. These substances are known to interact with monoamine transporters and 5-HT receptors in transfected cells, but less is known about...

DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05648-z (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Benzofury Designer drugs Locomotor activity MDMA, Mda +4

N -Benzyl-5-methoxytryptamines as Potent Serotonin 5-HT 2 Receptor Family Agonists and Comparison with a Series of Phenethylamine Analogues

UNC Libraries October 29, 2020 Simon D. Brandt, Maria F. Sassano, David E. Nichols et al. 4 citations

A series of N-benzylated-5-methoxytryptamine analogues was prepared and investigated, with special emphasis on substituents in the meta position of the benzyl group. A parallel series of several N-benzylated analogues of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenethylamine (2C-I) also was included for comparison of the two major templates (i.e., tryptamine and phenethylamine). A broad affinity screen at...

DOI: 10.17615/6efy-d986 (opens in new tab) Serotonin Phenethylamine 5-HT Receptor 5-ht2 receptor +1

Analytical profile of N‐ethyl‐N‐cyclopropyl lysergamide (ECPLA), an isomer of lysergic acid 2,4‐dimethylazetidide (LSZ)

Drug Testing and Analysis August 24, 2020 Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al. 5 citations

Recent investigations have shown that N-ethyl-N-cyclopropyl lysergamide (ECPLA) produces LSD-like behavioral effects in mice, which suggests that it may act as a hallucinogen in humans. Although the use of ECPLA as a recreational drug has been limited, key analytical data that can be used to detect ECPLA are required for future forensic and clinical investigations. ECPLA is an isomer of...

DOI: 10.1002/dta.2911 (opens in new tab) Electrospray ionization Electron ionization Mass spectrum Mass spectrometry +4

Pharmacokinetics and subjective effects of 1P‐LSD in humans after oral and intravenous administration

Drug Testing and Analysis May 16, 2020 Christina Grumann, Kerstin Henkel, Simon D. Brandt et al. 23 citations

Abstract 1‐Propanoyl‐lysergic acid diethylamide (1P‐LSD) appeared as a non‐controlled alternative to LSD a few years ago. Although evidence is beginning to emerge from in vitro and animal studies that 1P‐LSD might serve as a prodrug for LSD, an equivalent evaluation in humans is unavailable. Controlled oral and intravenous self‐administrations of 100 μg 1P‐LSD hemitartrate are reported in two...

DOI: 10.1002/dta.2821 (opens in new tab) Pharmacokinetics Pharmacology Oral administration Administration probate law

Correlation between the potency of hallucinogens in the mouse head-twitch response assay and their behavioral and subjective effects in other species.

Neuropharmacology May 1, 2020 Adam L. Halberstadt, Muhammad Chatha, Adam K. Klein et al. 274 citations

Serotonergic hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) induce head twitches in rodents via 5-HT2A receptor activation. The goal of the present investigation was to determine whether a correlation exists between the potency of hallucinogens in the mouse head-twitch response (HTR) paradigm and their reported potencies in other species, specifically rats and humans. Dose-response...

Prodrugs of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): A New Challenge.

Journal of Forensic Sciences May 1, 2020 Simon Elliott, Tanith Holdbrook, Simon D. Brandt 32 citations

The concept of a substance acting as a prodrug for an intended drug is not new and has been known and utilized with particular benefits within medicine for efficacy and patient safety. Prodrugs of psychoactive substances are also not particularly new but this has also extended to considerations of prodrugs of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The continuing evolution of NPS has been a constant...

DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14268 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) 2cb-aminonitrile 2c-b-an Prodrugs Psilacetin Forensic toxicology +1

Return of the lysergamides. Part VI: Analytical and behavioural characterization of 1‐cyclopropanoyl‐d‐lysergic acid diethylamide (1CP‐LSD)

Drug Testing and Analysis March 16, 2020 Simon D. Brandt, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Folker Westphal et al. 38 citations

Abstract Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a prototypical serotonergic psychedelic drug and the subject of many clinical investigations. In recent years, a range of lysergamides has emerged with the production of some being inspired by the existing scientific literature. Others, for example various 1‐acyl substituted lysergamides, did not exist before their appearance as research chemicals....

Pharmacological and biotransformation studies of 1-acyl-substituted derivatives of -lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

Neuropharmacology November 19, 2019 Adam L. Halberstadt, Muhammad Chatha, Adam K. Klein et al. 37 citations

The ergoline d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is one of the most potent psychedelic drugs. 1-Acetyl-LSD (ALD-52), a derivative of LSD containing an acetyl group on the indole nitrogen, also produces psychedelic effects in humans and has about the same potency as LSD. Recently, several other 1-acyl-substitued LSD derivatives, including 1-propanoyl-LSD (1P-LSD) and 1-butanoyl-LSD (1B-LSD), have...

Pharmacological characterizations of the 'legal high' fluorolintane and isomers.

European Journal of Pharmacology August 15, 2019 Jason Wallach, Tristan Colestock, Julià Agramunt et al.

1,2-Diarylethylamines represent a class of molecules that have shown potential in the treatment of pain, epilepsy, neurodegenerative disease and depression. Examples include lefetamine, remacemide, and lanicemine. Recently, several 1,2-diarylethylamines including the dissociatives diphenidine, methoxphenidine and ephenidine as well as the opioid MT-45, have appeared as 'research chemicals' or...