N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, an methylenedioxymethamphetamine derivative, exhibits rewarding and reinforcing effects by increasing dopamine levels.
Dong-Hyun Youn, Cheolmin Jo, Jin Mook Kim, Young-Ki Hong, Wonjong Lee, Seong Hye Park, Chan Hyeok Kwon, Sun-Ok Choi
Behavioral Neuroscience October 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1037/bne0000593 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice and rats |
| Interventions | t-BOC-3 4-MDMA |
| Dose | 5 mg/kg (intraperitoneal) for climbing and conditioned place preference; 0.5 mg/kg/infusion (intravenous) for self-administration |
| Duration | 2-hour self-administration sessions |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Drug abuse Addiction research Substance misuse Pharmacology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | t-BOC-3,4-MDMA has misuse potential, as shown by its rewarding and reinforcing properties in mice and its impact on dopamine levels in rats. |
Abstract
An N-protected methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (t-BOC-3,4-MDMA), contains tert-butoxycarbonyl and can remain undetected in the illicit drug market. It is a new type of precursor substance that is not a chemical intermediate and can be converted into a controlled substance, MDMA, by deprotection of the N-tert-butoxycarbonyl group. Categorization of this chemical into a precursor or psychotropic substance is an issue because it is an unprecedented precursor that could have misuse potential. Although MDMA causes rewarding and reinforcing effect through dopaminergic transmission, the misuse potential of t-BOC-3,4-MDMA has not yet been characterized. Here, we aim to evaluate the misuse potential of t-BOC-3,4-MDMA. The response to the drug at a dose of 5 mg/kg was determined by a climbing test, and its rewarding and reinforcing properties were assessed through conditioned place preference and self-administration tests. In the conditioned place preference test, intraperitoneal administration of t-BOC-3,4-MDMA (5 mg/kg) significantly altered place preference in mice. In the self-administration models, t-BOC-3,4-MDMA induced drug-taking behavior at the dose of 0.5 mg/kg/infusion (intravenous) during 2 hr sessions under fixed-ratio schedules in mice. In addition, microdialysis experiments verified that t-BOC-3,4-MDMA impacted the dopamine levels of the brain (striatum) of rats. These experimental results indicate that t-BOC-3,4-MDMA has a potential for misuse. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).