Behavioral and electrophysiological effects of phenylethanolamine and 2-phenylethylamine.
The electrophysiological and behavioral effects of phenylethanolamine (OHPEA) and of its precursor 2-phenylethylamine (PEA) were studied in mice and rabbits. In animals pretreated with MAOI, PEA was found to exert strong amphetamine-like effects, EEG alerting, reduction of visual evoked responses, increased locomotor activity, and blockade of tonic seizures induced by electroshock. OHPEA exerted weaker amphetamine-like effects. Inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase increased most of the effects of PEA. In non-pretreated animals, OHPEA was found to shorten electroshock latency and to prolong the duration of visual evoked responses. PEA (but not OHPEA) potentiated the excitement induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol in MAOI-pretreated mice. Reserpine pretreatment reduced but did not abolish the CNS effects of OHPEA and PEA. One may speculate that endogenous PEA is more likely to serve as a modulator for ergotropic functions than is endogenous OHPEA.
D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D005406:Bis(4-Methyl-1-Homopiperazinylthiocarbonyl)disulfide / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004597:Electroshock; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011817:Rabbits; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002395:Catecholamines; D004983:Ethanolamines; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D010627:Phenethylamines; D005406:Bis(4-Methyl-1-Homopiperazinylthiocarbonyl)disulfide; D013759:Dronabinol; D012110:Reserpine; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase