Dopamine releasing agent

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Amphetamine, an NDRA and one of the most well-known DRAs. Amphetamine.svg
Amphetamine, an NDRA and one of the most well-known DRAs.

A dopamine releasing agent (DRA) is a type of drug which induces the release of dopamine in the body and/or brain. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

No selective DRAs are currently known. [5] [6] However, non-selective DRAs, including norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agents (NDRAs) like amphetamine and methamphetamine, serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agents (SNDRAs) like MDMA and mephedrone, and serotonin–dopamine releasing agents (SDRAs) like 5-chloro-αMT are known. [7] [8] [9]

A closely related type of drug is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI). [10] [11] [12] In contrast to the case of DRAs, many selective DRIs are known. [10] [11] [12] Examples of selective DRIs include amineptine, modafinil, and vanoxerine. [10] [11] [12]

Selectivity

No selective and robust DRAs are currently known. [5] [6] The lack of selective DRAs as of present is related to the fact that it has proven extremely difficult to separate dopamine transporter (DAT) affinity from norepinephrine transporter (NET) affinity and retain releasing capability at the same time. [6] Despite extensive evaluation of over 350 compounds, it was reported in 2007 that it had been virtually impossible to dissociate norepinephrine and dopamine release. [6] This was attributed to the strong phylogenetic similarities between the DAT and NET. [6] However, selective SDRAs, albeit with concomitant serotonin receptor agonism, were subsequently described in 2014, though selective DRAs were still not reported. [9]

Although no selective DRAs are currently known, many non-selective releasing agents of both dopamine and norepinephrine (norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agents or NDRAs) and of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agents or SNDRAs) are known. [7] [8] Examples of major NDRAs include the psychostimulants amphetamine and methamphetamine, while an example of an SNDRA is the entactogen methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). [7] [8] These drugs are frequently used for recreational purposes and encountered as drugs of abuse. DRAs, including NDRAs and theoretically also selective DRAs, have medical utility in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). [13] Serotonin–dopamine releasing agents (SDRAs), for instance 5-chloro-αMT, are less common and are not selective for dopamine release, but have also been developed. [9] [14] Tryptamines like 5-chloro-αMT are the only known releaser scaffold that consistently release dopamine more potently than norepinephrine. [15]

Therapeutic applications

Selective DRAs might have different clinical effects in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than the NDRAs like amphetamines and norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) like methylphenidate that are currently used. [13] For example, they might have improved therapeutic selectivity by reducing or eliminating the cardiovascular and sympathomimetic side effects of NDRAs. [16]

Examples of DRAs

Dextromethamphetamine is one of the most selective known releasers of dopamine over norepinephrine, but it is still fairly balanced as an NDRA. [7] [8] Another of the most specific dopamine releasers is recreational stimulant cis-4-methylaminorex (cis-4-MAR), but it also has considerable activity as a norepinephrine releaser and hence is likewise not a selective DRA. [17] [18] Pemoline, which is structurally related to the aminorex drugs, is a stimulant used to treat ADHD which is said to act as a selective DRI and DRA, but it only weakly stimulates dopamine release. [19] [20] [21]

There is reportedly some, albeit mixed, in-vitro evidence that the antidepressant and modestly selective DRI amineptine may, in addition to inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine, selectively induce the presynaptic release of dopamine without affecting release of norepinephrine or serotonin. [22] [23] [24] However, amineptine is larger than the known small structural size limit of monoamine releasing agents, suggesting that it may not in fact be a DRA. [3]

Although no definite selective DRAs have been described, one possible exception is 2-fluoromethcathinone (2-FMC). [15] It has an EC50 Tooltip half-maximal effective concentration for dopamine release of 48.7 nM and induces 85% release of norepinephrine at a concentration of 10 μM. [15] For comparison, the EC50 values of methcathinone are 49.9 nM for dopamine release and 22.4 nM for norepinephrine release and it induces 100% release of norepinephrine at a concentration of 10 μM. [15] [1] Hence, compared to methcathinone, 2-FMC appears to be relatively more selective or efficacious for induction of dopamine release over norepinephrine release. [15] [1] In any case, the EC50 of 2-FMC for induction of norepinephrine release does not seem to be available. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monoamine transporter</span> Proteins that function as integral plasma-membrane transporters

Monoamine transporters (MATs) are proteins that function as integral plasma-membrane transporters to regulate concentrations of extracellular monoamine neurotransmitters. The three major classes are serotonin transporters (SERTs), dopamine transporters (DATs), and norepinephrine transporters (NETs) and are responsible for the reuptake of their associated amine neurotransmitters. MATs are located just outside the synaptic cleft (peri-synaptically), transporting monoamine transmitter overflow from the synaptic cleft back to the cytoplasm of the pre-synaptic neuron. MAT regulation generally occurs through protein phosphorylation and post-translational modification. Due to their significance in neuronal signaling, MATs are commonly associated with drugs used to treat mental disorders as well as recreational drugs. Compounds targeting MATs range from medications such as the wide variety of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac) to stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine in its many forms and derivatives methamphetamine (Desoxyn) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse). Furthermore, drugs such as MDMA and natural alkaloids such as cocaine exert their effects in part by their interaction with MATs, by blocking the transporters from mopping up dopamine, serotonin, and other neurotransmitters from the synapse.

A dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI) is a class of drug which acts as a reuptake inhibitor of the monoamine neurotransmitter dopamine by blocking the action of the dopamine transporter (DAT). Reuptake inhibition is achieved when extracellular dopamine not absorbed by the postsynaptic neuron is blocked from re-entering the presynaptic neuron. This results in increased extracellular concentrations of dopamine and increase in dopaminergic neurotransmission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor</span> Class of drug

A norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor or noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor or adrenergic reuptake inhibitor (ARI), is a type of drug that acts as a reuptake inhibitor for the neurotransmitters norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) by blocking the action of the norepinephrine transporter (NET). This in turn leads to increased extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine and therefore can increase adrenergic neurotransmission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dopamine transporter</span> Mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

The dopamine transporter is a membrane-spanning protein coded for in humans by the SLC6A3 gene, that pumps the neurotransmitter dopamine out of the synaptic cleft back into cytosol. In the cytosol, other transporters sequester the dopamine into vesicles for storage and later release. Dopamine reuptake via DAT provides the primary mechanism through which dopamine is cleared from synapses, although there may be an exception in the prefrontal cortex, where evidence points to a possibly larger role of the norepinephrine transporter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chlorphentermine</span> Weight loss medication

Chlorphentermine, sold under the brand names Apsedon, Desopimon, and Lucofen, is a serotonergic appetite suppressant of the amphetamine family. Developed in 1962, it is the para-chloro derivative of the better-known appetite suppressant phentermine, which is still in current use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naphthylaminopropane</span> Chemical compound

Naphthylaminopropane, also known as naphthylisopropylamine (NIPA), is an experimental drug that was under investigation for the treatment of alcohol and stimulant addiction.

<i>para</i>-Chloroamphetamine Chemical compound

para-Chloroamphetamine (PCA), also known as 4-chloroamphetamine (4-CA), is a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (SNDRA) and serotonergic neurotoxin of the amphetamine family. It is used in scientific research in the study of the serotonin system, as a serotonin releasing agent (SRA) at lower doses to produce serotonergic effects, and as a serotonergic neurotoxin at higher doses to produce long-lasting depletions of serotonin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monoamine releasing agent</span> Class of compounds

A monoamine releasing agent (MRA), or simply monoamine releaser, is a drug that induces the release of one or more monoamine neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron into the synapse, leading to an increase in the extracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitters and hence enhanced signaling by those neurotransmitters. The monoamine neurotransmitters include serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine; monoamine releasing agents can induce the release of one or more of these neurotransmitters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norepinephrine releasing agent</span> Catecholaminergic type of drug

A norepinephrine releasing agent (NRA), also known as an adrenergic releasing agent, is a catecholaminergic type of drug that induces the release of norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) from the pre-synaptic neuron into the synapse. This in turn leads to increased extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine therefore an increase in adrenergic neurotransmission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent</span> Drug class

A norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (NDRA) is a type of drug which induces the release of norepinephrine and dopamine in the body and/or brain.

A serotonin–dopamine releasing agent (SDRA) is a type of drug which induces the release of serotonin and dopamine in the body and/or brain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor</span> Drug that inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine

A norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI) is a drug used for the treatment of clinical depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and the management of Parkinson's disease. The drug acts as a reuptake inhibitor for the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine by blocking the action of the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and the dopamine transporter (DAT), respectively. This in turn leads to increased extracellular concentrations of both norepinephrine and dopamine and, therefore, an increase in adrenergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-Fluoroamphetamine</span> Stimulant drug that acts as an amphetamine

3-Fluoroamphetamine is a stimulant drug from the amphetamine family which acts as a monoamine releaser with similar potency to methamphetamine but more selectivity for dopamine and norepinephrine release over serotonin. It is self-administered by mice to a similar extent to related drugs such as 4-fluoroamphetamine and 3-methylamphetamine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phenylpiperazine</span> Chemical compound

1-Phenylpiperazine is a simple chemical compound and drug featuring a phenyl group bound to a piperazine ring. The suffix ‘-piprazole’ is sometimes used in the names of drugs to indicate they belong to this class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serotonin–dopamine reuptake inhibitor</span> Class of drug

A serotonin–dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SDRI) is a type of drug which acts as a reuptake inhibitor of the monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine by blocking the actions of the serotonin transporter (SERT) and dopamine transporter (DAT), respectively. This in turn leads to increased extracellular concentrations of serotonin and dopamine, and, therefore, an increase in serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission.

A monoamine reuptake inhibitor (MRI) is a drug that acts as a reuptake inhibitor of one or more of the three major monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine by blocking the action of one or more of the respective monoamine transporters (MATs), which include the serotonin transporter (SERT), norepinephrine transporter (NET), and dopamine transporter (DAT). This in turn results in an increase in the synaptic concentrations of one or more of these neurotransmitters and therefore an increase in monoaminergic neurotransmission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pseudophenmetrazine</span> Chemical compound

Pseudophenmetrazine is a psychostimulant compound of the morpholine class. It is the N-demethylated and cis-configured analogue of phendimetrazine as well as the cis-configured stereoisomer of phenmetrazine. In addition, along with phenmetrazine, it is believed to be one of the active metabolites of phendimetrazine, which itself is inactive and behaves merely as a prodrug. Relative to phenmetrazine, pseudophenmetrazine is of fairly low potency, acting as a modest releasing agent of norepinephrine (EC50 = 514 nM), while its (+)-enantiomer is a weak releaser of dopamine (EC50 = 1,457 nM) whereas its (−)-enantiomer is a weak reuptake inhibitor of dopamine (Ki = 2,691 nM); together as a racemic mixture with the two enantiomers combined, pseudophenmetrazine behaves overall more as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor (Ki = 2,630 nM), possibly due to the (+)-enantiomer blocking the uptake of the (−)-enantiomer into dopaminergic neurons and thus preventing it from inducing dopamine release. Neither enantiomer has any significant effect on serotonin reuptake or release (both Ki = >10,000 nM and EC50 = >10,000 nM, respectively).

<i>ortho</i>-Methoxyphenylpiperazine Serotonergic drug

ortho-Methoxyphenylpiperazine (oMeOPP), also known as 2-methoxyphenylpiperazine (2-MeOPP), is a phenylpiperazine derivative which is known to act as a serotonergic agent. Along with various other phenylpiperazines, like benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP), oMeOPP has been found in illicit drug samples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-Aminoacetophenone</span> Phenethylamine derivative

Phenacylamine, also known as β-ketophenethylamine, α-desmethylcathinone, or 2-aminoacetophenone, is a substituted phenethylamine derivative. It is the phenethylamine homologue of cathinone (β-ketoamphetamine) and hence is a parent compound of a large number of stimulant and entactogen drugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-Fluoromethcathinone</span> Designer stimulant

2-Fluoromethcathinone (2-FMC), also known as 2-flephedrone, is a psychostimulant and designer drug of the cathinone family. It acts as a dopamine and norepinephrine releasing agent (NDRA).

References

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