4-Methylmethamphetamine

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

4-MMA acts as a potent and well-balanced serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (SNDRA). It induces hyperlocomotion and stereotypy (psychostimulant-like effects) as well as hyperthermia in mice, similarly to methcathinone.

Dopaminergic neurotoxicity

In contrast to methamphetamine and methcathinone, 4-MMA appears to produce minimal dopaminergic neurotoxicity in mice. Conversely, mephedrone shows no dopaminergic neurotoxicity at all in mice. It was theorized that 4-methyl and β-keto substitutions on amphetamines may result in loss of activity at the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), loss of elevations of cytosolic dopamine concentrations, and consequent loss of dopaminergic neurotoxic potential. Accordingly, the dopaminergic neurotoxicity of 4-MMA was greatly enhanced by the dopamine precursor levodopa (L-DOPA), the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) pargyline, and methamphetamine (a VMAT2 inhibitor/reverser), all of which are known to increase the cytosolic pool of dopamine. However, in contrast to 4-MMA, the dopaminergic neurotoxicity of methcathinone was enhanced only by levodopa and of mephedrone was enhanced only by methamphetamine.

References

References

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