Neurochemical and Behavioral Effects of a New Hallucinogenic Compound 25B-NBOMe in Rats
Adam Wojtas, Monika Herian, Mateusz Skawski, Małgorzata Sobocińska, Alejandro González-marín, Karolina Noworyta, Krystyna Gołembiowska
Neurotoxicity Research December 18, 2020 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00297-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Intervention | 25B-NBOMe |
| Topics | Serotonin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Pharmacology Neurochemical Anxiolytic Dopamine Anxiogenic Open field |
| Citations | 33 |
| Key findings | 25B-NBOMe increased dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate release in multiple brain regions, induced hallucinogenic activity, impaired short-term memory, reduced locomotion, and showed anxiogenic effects in rats. |
Abstract
Abstract 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamine (25B-NBOMe) is a hallucinogen exhibiting high binding affinity for 5-HT 2A/C serotonin receptors. In the present work, we investigated its effect on dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), acetylcholine (ACh), and glutamate release in the rat frontal cortex, striatum, and nucleus accumbens. Hallucinogenic activity, impact on cognitive and motor functions, and anxiogenic/anxiolytic properties of this compound were also tested. The release of DA, 5-HT, ACh, and glutamate was studied using microdialysis in freely moving animals. Hallucinogenic activity was investigated using head and body twitch response (WDS), cognitive functions were examined with the novel object recognition test (NOR), locomotor activity was studied in the open field (OF), while anxiogenic/anxiolytic effect was tested using the light/dark box (LDB). Neurotoxicity was evaluated with the comet assay. 25B-NBOMe increased DA, 5-HT, and glutamate release in all studied brain regions, induced hallucinogenic activity, and lowered the recognition index ( Ri ) vs. control in the NOR test. It also decreased locomotor activity of rats in the OF test. The effect of 25B-NBOMe in the NOR test was inhibited by scopolamine. In the LDB test, the time spent in the dark zone was longer in comparison to control and was dose-dependent. In contrast to MDMA, 25B-NBOMe showed subtle genotoxic effect observed in the comet assay. Our findings indicate that 25B-NBOMe shows hallucinogenic activity in the wide range of doses. The changes in neurotransmitter levels may be related to 25B-NBOMe affinity for 5-HT 2A receptor. Alterations in the NOR, OF, and LDB indicate that 25B-NBOMe impacts short-term memory, locomotion, and may be anxiogenic.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on serotonin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo Mice | 2021 | Observational cohort | |
| Neurotoxicity of the psychedelic amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Rats (implied by typical neurochemical study context) | 1987 | Experimental study | |
| Psychedelics promote neuroplasticity through the activation of intracellular 5-HT2A receptors In vitro and in vivo (rodent) models | 2023 | Experimental study | |
| 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine destroy serotonin terminals in rat brain: quantification of neurodegeneration by measurement of [3H]paroxetine-labeled serotonin uptake sites. Rat brain | 1987 | Animal experiment | |
| Comparison of the monoamine transporters from human and mouse in their sensitivities to psychostimulant drugs Human and mouse dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters expressed in cells | 2006 | In vitro laboratory study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 25
- Effect of Psilocybin and Ketamine on Brain Neurotransmitters, Glutamate Receptors, DNA and Rat Behavior International Journal of Molecular Sciences June 16, 2022
- Therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics and entactogens. Neuropsychopharmacology July 24, 2023
- Molecular and clinical aspects of potential neurotoxicity induced by new psychoactive stimulants and psychedelics Experimental Neurology June 4, 2021
- Unraveling psilocybin's therapeutic potential: behavioral and neuroplasticity insights in Wistar-Kyoto and Wistar male rat models of treatment-resistant depression. Psychopharmacology July 4, 2024
- Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 20, 2024
and 20 more in the library
Cites 32
- Evidence for 5-HT2 involvement in the mechanism of action of hallucinogenic agents. Life Sciences December 17, 1984
- Control of Serotonergic Function in Medial Prefrontal Cortex by Serotonin-2A Receptors through a Glutamate-Dependent Mechanism Journal of Neuroscience December 15, 2001
- Receptor interaction profiles of novel N-2-methoxybenzyl (NBOMe) derivatives of 2,5-dimethoxy-substituted phenethylamines (2C drugs). Neuropharmacology December 1, 2015
- Antidepressive and anxiolytic effects of ayahuasca: a systematic literature review of animal and human studies Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry March 1, 2016
- Lysergic acid diethylamide and [−]-2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine increase extracellular glutamate in rat prefrontal cortex Brain Research August 27, 2004
and 27 more in the library