Dataset Information

Pharmacological effects of methylone and MDMA in humans.

ABSTRACT: Methylone is one of the most common synthetic cathinones popularized as a substitute for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, midomafetamine) owing to its similar effects among users. Both psychostimulants exhibit similar chemistry (i.e., methylone is a β-keto analog of MDMA) and mechanisms of action. Currently, the pharmacology of methylone remains scarcely explored in humans. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects of methylone and its abuse potential in humans when compared with that of MDMA following oral administration under controlled conditions. Seventeen participants of both sexes (14 males, 3 females) with a previous history of psychostimulant use completed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial. Participants received a single oral dose of 200 mg of methylone, 100 mg of MDMA, and a placebo. The variables included physiological effects (blood pressure, heart rate, oral temperature, pupil diameter), subjective effects using visual analog scales (VAS), the short form of the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI), the Evaluation of Subjective Effects of Substances with Abuse Potential questionnaire (VESSPA-SSE), and the Sensitivity to Drug Reinforcement Questionnaire (SDRQ), and psychomotor performance (Maddox wing, psychomotor vigilance task). We observed that methylone could significantly increase blood pressure and heart rate and induce pleasurable effects, such as stimulation, euphoria, wellbeing, enhanced empathy, and altered perception. Methylone exhibited an effect profile similar to MDMA, with a faster overall onset and earlier disappearance of subjective effects. These results suggest that abuse potential of methylone is comparable to that of MDMA in humans. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05488171; Identifier: NCT05488171.

SUBMITTER: Poyatos L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9981643 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Pharmacological effects of methylone and MDMA in humans.

Poyatos Lourdes L Pérez-Mañá Clara C Hladun Olga O Núñez-Montero Melani M de la Rosa Georgina G Martín Soraya S Barriocanal Ana Maria AM Carabias Lydia L Kelmendi Benjamin B Taoussi Omayema O Busardò Francesco Paolo FP Fonseca Francina F Torrens Marta M Pichini Simona S Farré Magí M Papaseit Esther E

Frontiers in pharmacology 20230217

Methylone is one of the most common synthetic cathinones popularized as a substitute for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, midomafetamine) owing to its similar effects among users. Both psychostimulants exhibit similar chemistry (i.e., methylone is a β-keto analog of MDMA) and mechanisms of action. Currently, the pharmacology of methylone remains scarcely explored in humans. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects of methylone and its abuse potential in humans when ...[more]

PMID: 36873994

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that can become chronic and debilitating when left untreated. Available pharmacotherapies are limited, take weeks to show modest benefit and remain ineffective for up to 40% of patients. Methylone is currently in clinical development for the treatment of PTSD. Preclinical studies show rapid, robust and long-lasting antidepressant-like and anxiolytic effects. The mechanism of action underlying these effects is not yet fully understood. This study investigated the downstream gene expression changes and signaling pathways affected by methylone in key brain areas linked to PTSD and MDD. It also sought to determine whether neuroplasticity-related genes were involved. We compared effects of methylone with MDMA to explore similarities and differences in their brain effects because MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has recently shown benefit in clinical trials for PTSD and methylone is a structural analog of MDMA.MethodsMonoamine binding, uptake and release studies were performed and a high-throughput-screen evaluated agonist/antagonist activities at 168 GPCRs in vitro. We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to probe drug-induced gene expression changes in the amygdala and frontal cortex, two brain areas responsible for emotional learning that are affected by PTSD and MDD. Rats were treated with methylone or MDMA (both 10 mg/kg, IP), and their responses were compared with controls. We performed functional enrichment analysis to identify which pathways were regulated by methylone and/or MDMA. We confirmed changes in gene expression using immunohistochemistry.ResultsMethylone, a monoamine uptake inhibitor and releaser, demonstrated no off-target effects at 168 GPCRs, unlike MDMA, which showed activity at 5HT2A and 5HT2C receptors. RNA-seq results revealed significant regulation of myelin-related genes in the amygdala, confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In the frontal cortex, methylone significantly upregulated genes implicated in neuroplasticity.ConclusionResults suggest that (1) methylone is a rapid-acting neuroplastogen that affects key brain substrates for PTSD and MDD and that (2) methylone appears to exhibit higher specificity and fewer off-target effects than MDMA. Together, these results are consistent with the reported clinical experiences of methylone and MDMA and bolster the potential use of methylone in the treatment of PTSD and, potentially, other neuropsychiatric disorders.

Project description:BackgroundAmphetamine analogs with a 3,4-methylenedioxy ring-substitution are among the most popular illicit drugs of abuse, exerting stimulant and entactogenic effects. Enzymatic N-demethylation or opening of the 3,4-methylenedioxy ring via O-demethylenation gives rise to metabolites that may be pharmacologically active. Indeed, previous studies in rats show that specific metabolites of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethcathinone (methylone) and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) can interact with monoaminergic systems.AimInteractions of metabolites of MDMA, methylone and MDPV with human monoaminergic systems were assessed.MethodsThe ability of parent drugs and their metabolites to inhibit uptake of tritiated norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin (5-HT) was assessed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with human monoamine transporters. Binding affinities and functional activity at monoamine transporters and various receptor subtypes were also determined.ResultsMDMA and methylone displayed greater potency to inhibit norepinephrine uptake as compared to their effects on dopamine and 5-HT uptake. N-demethylation of MDMA failed to alter uptake inhibition profiles, whereas N-demethylation of methylone decreased overall transporter inhibition potencies. O-demethylenation of MDMA, methylone and MDPV resulted in catechol metabolites that maintained norepinephrine and dopamine uptake inhibition potencies, but markedly reduced activity at 5-HT uptake. O-methylation of the catechol metabolites significantly decreased norepinephrine uptake inhibition, resulting in metabolites lacking significant stimulant properties.ConclusionsSeveral metabolites of MDMA, methylone and MDPV interact with human transporters and receptors at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. In particular, N-demethylated metabolites of MDMA and methylone circulate in unconjugated form and could contribute to the in vivo activity of the parent compounds in human users.

Project description:Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder that can become chronic and debilitating when left untreated. Available pharmacotherapies are limited, take weeks to show modest benefit and remain ineffective for up to 40% of patients. Methylone is currently in clinical development for the treatment of PTSD. Preclinical studies show rapid, robust and long-lasting antidepressant-like and anxiolytic effects. The mechanism of action underlying these effects is not yet fully understood. This study investigated the downstream gene expression changes and signaling pathways affected by methylone in key brain areas linked to PTSD and MDD. It also sought to determine whether neuroplasticity-related genes were involved. We compared effects of methylone with MDMA to explore similarities and differences in their brain effects because MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has recently shown benefit in clinical trials for PTSD and methylone is a structural analog of MDMA. Methods: We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to probe drug-induced gene expression changes in the amygdala and frontal cortex, two brain areas responsible for emotional learning that are affected by PTSD and MDD. Rats were treated with methylone or MDMA (both 10 mg/kg, IP), and their responses were compared with controls. Results: RNA-seq results revealed significant regulation of myelin-related genes in the amygdala, confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In the frontal cortex, methylone significantly upregulated genes implicated in neuroplasticity. Conclusions: Results suggest that (1) methylone is a rapid-acting neuroplastogen that affects key brain substrates for PTSD and MDD and that (2) methylone appears to exhibit higher specificity and fewer off-target effects than MDMA. Together, these results are consistent with the reported clinical experiences of methylone and MDMA and bolster the potential use of methylone in the treatment of PTSD and, potentially, other neuropsychiatric disorders.

Project description:Racemic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) acutely increases mood, feelings of empathy, trust, and closeness to others and is investigated to assist psychotherapy. Preclinical research indicates that S-MDMA releases monoamines and oxytocin more potently than R-MDMA, whereas R-MDMA more potently stimulates serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A receptors. S-MDMA may have more stimulant properties, and R-MDMA may be more psychedelic-like. However, acute effects of S- and R-MDMA have not been examined in a controlled human study. We used a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design to compare acute effects of MDMA (125 mg), S-MDMA (125 mg), R-MDMA (125 mg and 250 mg), and placebo in 24 healthy participants. Outcome measures included subjective, autonomic, and adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, and plasma oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol concentrations. S-MDMA (125 mg) induced greater subjective effects ("stimulation," "drug high," "happy," "open") and higher increases in blood pressure than R-MDMA (both 125 and 250 mg) and MDMA (125 mg). Unexpectedly, R-MDMA did not produce more psychedelic-like effects than S-MDMA. S-MDMA increased plasma prolactin more than MDMA, and S-MDMA increased plasma cortisol and oxytocin more than MDMA and R-MDMA. The plasma elimination half-life of S-MDMA was 4.1 h after administration. The half-life of R-MDMA was 12 and 14 h after the administration of 125 and 250 mg, respectively. Half-lives for S-MDMA and R-MDMA were 5.1 h and 11 h, respectively, after racemic MDMA administration. Concentrations of the CYP2D6-formed MDMA-metabolite 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine were lower after R-MDMA administration compared with S-MDMA administration. The pharmacokinetic findings are consistent with the R-MDMA-mediated inhibition of CYP2D6. Stronger stimulant-like effects of S-MDMA in the present study may reflect the higher potency of S-MDMA rather than qualitative differences between S-MDMA and R-MDMA. Equivalent acute effects of S-MDMA, MDMA, and R-MDMA can be expected at doses of 100, 125, and 300 mg, respectively, and need to be investigated.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05277636.

Dataset Information

Pharmacological effects of methylone and MDMA in humans.

Publications

Pharmacological effects of methylone and MDMA in humans.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets