Mode of action of a sympathomimetic amine, paramethoxyphenylethylamine (PMPEA) in the mouse CNS: Release of biogenic amines.
Paramethoxyphenylethylamine (PMPEA) is a sympathomimetic amine, like its parent compound, phenylethylamine. The intraperitoneal administration of PMPEA to mice produces a dose-dependent depletion of brain and heart norepinephrine, with significant reduction being observed one hour postinjection. At lower dosages, PMPEA produces a transitory increase in brain serotonin (5-HT) levels, with depletion observed at the higher dosage used. Thus PMPEA differs from phenylethylamine, which does not deplete 5-HT. The results are interpreted that: the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of PMPEA may be related in part to the effects of this amine on serotonergic systems as well as to its effects on monoaminergic systems.
Ashkenazi
R
R
Division of Comparative Neurobiology, The Marine Biomedical Institute, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Tex. 77550 U.S.A.
Haber
B
B