MDAI

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MDAI
MDAI.svg
MDAI 3D ball.png
Clinical data
Routes of
administration 		Oral
ATC code
  • none
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • 6,7-Dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[f] [1,3]benzodioxol-6-amine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
Formula C10H11NO2
Molar mass 177.203 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • C1C(CC2=CC3=C(C=C21)OCO3)N
  • InChI=1S/C10H11NO2/c11-8-1-6-3-9-10(13-5-12-9)4-7(6)2-8/h3-4,8H,1-2,5,11H2 Yes check.svgY
  • Key:FQDRMHHCWZAXJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY

MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is a drug developed in the 1990s by a team led by David E. Nichols at Purdue University. It acts as a non-neurotoxic and highly selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) in vitro and produces entactogen effects in humans.

Contents

Chemistry

The chemical structure of MDAI is indirectly derived from that of the illicit drug MDA, but the alpha-methyl group of the alkyl amino amphetamine side chain has been bound back to the benzene nucleus to form an indane ring system, which changes its pharmacological properties substantially.

MDAI can be produced from 3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propionic acid [2] which is converted to the acid chloride and then heated to produce 5,6-Methylenedioxy-1-indanone. Treatment of the indanone with amyl nitrite in methanol with HCl afforded the hydroxyimino ketone. This is reduced to the 2-aminoindan following a modification of Nichols' earlier method from a paper discussing DOM analogues, [3] using a Pd/C catalyst in glacial acetic acid with catalytic H2SO4.

Pharmacology

MDAI has been shown to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine with IC50 values of 512 nM, 5,920 nM, and 1,426 nM, respectively. This demonstrates that MDAI has selective affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT). In animals treated with reserpine and MDAI, greater extracellular concentrations of monoamine neural transmitters resulted, most significantly serotonin. This result indicates that MDAI is a potent releaser of serotonin, while effectively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. For comparison, MDAI is similar in potency with releasing serotonin to MDA but significantly less potent than MDMA. [4]

Effects

MDAI in powder form MDAI.jpg
MDAI in powder form

The family of drugs typified by MDMA produce their effects through multiple mechanisms of action in the body, and consequently produce three distinct cues which animals can be trained to respond to: a stimulant cue typified by drugs such as methamphetamine, a psychedelic cue typified by drugs such as LSD and DOM, and an "entactogen-like" cue which is produced by drugs such as MDAI and MBDB. These drugs cause drug-appropriate responses in animals trained to recognize the effects of MDMA, but do not produce responses in animals trained selectively to respond to stimulants or hallucinogens. Because these compounds selectively release serotonin in the brain but have little effect on dopamine or noradrenaline levels, they can produce empathogenic effects but without any stimulant action, instead being somewhat sedating. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Very high doses can be fatal in rats with a 50% fatality rate for those subcutaneously injected with 28 mg/kg of MDAI. This is a result of the way serotonin release interferes with thermoregulation. [12]

Use in scientific research

MDAI and other similar drugs have been widely used in scientific research, as they are able to replicate many of the effects of MDMA, but without causing the neurotoxicity which may be associated with MDMA and some related drugs. No tests have been performed on cardiovascular toxicity. [2] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]

Use as a recreational drug

MDAI has been advertised as a designer drug. It started to be sold online from around 2007, but reached peak popularity between about 2010–2012, after bans on mephedrone came into effect in various countries. Internet-sourced products claimed to be MDAI have been shown variously to contain mephedrone or other substituted cathinone derivatives, and mixed compositions of inorganic substances, while generally containing no MDAI. The number of internet searches for MDAI has been considerably higher in the UK compared to Germany and the USA. [19] MDAI is only non-neurotoxic in isolation but may become neurotoxic when mixed with other drugs. [20] Three deaths were linked to MDAI use in the UK during 2011–2012, all involving symptoms consistent with serotonin syndrome. Two of these also involved other drugs while one death appeared to be from MDAI alone. [21]

As of October 2015 MDAI is a controlled substance in China. [22]

MDAI is illegal in Denmark as of September 2015. [23]

As of December 2011 MDAI is a controlled substance in Switzerland [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empathogen–entactogen</span> Class of psychoactive drugs that produce empathic experiences

Empathogens or entactogens are a class of psychoactive drugs that produce experiences of emotional communion, oneness, relatedness, emotional openness—that is, empathy or sympathy—as particularly observed and reported for experiences with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). This class of drug is distinguished from the classes of hallucinogen or psychedelic, and amphetamine or stimulants. Major members of this class include MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MDOH, MBDB, 5-APB, 5-MAPB, 6-APB, 6-MAPB, methylone, mephedrone, GHB, αMT, and αET, MDAI among others. Most entactogens are phenethylamines and amphetamines, although several, such as αMT and αET, are tryptamines. When referring to MDMA and its counterparts, the term MDxx is often used. Entactogens are sometimes incorrectly referred to as hallucinogens or stimulants, although many entactogens such as ecstasy exhibit psychedelic or stimulant properties as well.

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

para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA), also known as 4-methoxyamphetamine (4-MA), is a designer drug of the amphetamine class with serotonergic effects. Unlike other similar drugs of this family, PMA does not produce stimulant, euphoriant, or entactogen effects, and behaves more like an antidepressant in comparison, though it does have some psychedelic properties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4-Fluoroamphetamine</span> Psychoactive research chemical

4-Fluoroamphetamine, also known as para-fluoroamphetamine (PFA) is a psychoactive research chemical of the phenethylamine and substituted amphetamine chemical classes. It produces stimulant and entactogenic effects. As a recreational drug, 4-FA is sometimes sold along with related compounds such as 2-fluoroamphetamine and 4-fluoromethamphetamine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MMDA (drug)</span> Entactogen drug

MMDA is a psychedelic and entactogen drug of the amphetamine class. It is an analogue of lophophine, MDA, and MDMA.

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

3,4-Ethylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (EDMA) is an entactogen drug of the methamphetamine class. It is an analogue of MDMA where the methylenedioxy ring has been replaced by an ethylenedioxy ring. EDMA was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin. In his book PiHKAL, the dosage is listed as 150–250 mg, and the duration listed as 3–5 hours. According to Shulgin, EDMA produces a bare threshold consisting of paresthesia, nystagmus, and hypnogogic imagery, with few to no other effects. Scientific research has demonstrated that EDMA acts as a non-neurotoxic serotonin releasing agent with moderately diminished potency relative to MDMA, and with negligible effects on dopamine release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5-Methyl-MDA</span> Chemical compound

5-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (5-Methyl-MDA) is an entactogen and psychedelic designer drug of the amphetamine class. It is a ring-methylated homologue of MDA and a structural isomer of MDMA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5-APDB</span> Chemical compound

5-(2-Aminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran is a putative entactogen drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine classes. It is an analogue of MDA where the heterocyclic 3-position oxygen from the 3,4-methylenedioxy ring has been replaced by a methylene bridge. 6-APDB is an analogue of 5-APDB where the 4-position oxygen has been replaced by a methylene bridge instead. 5-APDB was developed by a team led by David E. Nichols at Purdue University as part of their research into non-neurotoxic analogues of MDMA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3-Methoxy-4-methylamphetamine</span> Chemical compound

3-Methoxy-4-methylamphetamine (MMA) is an entactogen and psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine classes. It was first synthesized in 1970 and was encountered as a street drug in Italy in the same decade. MMA was largely forgotten until being reassayed by David E. Nichols as a non-neurotoxic MDMA analogue in 1991, and has subsequently been sold as a designer drug on the internet since the late 2000s (decade).

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

5-Methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindane (MMAI) is a drug developed in the 1990s by a team led by David E. Nichols at Purdue University. It acts as a non-neurotoxic and highly selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) and produces entactogen effects in humans. It has been sold as a designer drug and research chemical online since 2010.

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

5,6-Methylenedioxy-N-methyl-2-aminoindane (MDMAI), is a drug developed in the 1990s by a team led by David E. Nichols at Purdue University. It acts as a non-neurotoxic and highly selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) in animals and a putative entactogen in humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5-IAI</span> Chemical compound

5-Iodo-2-aminoindane (5-IAI) is a drug which acts as a releasing agent of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It was developed in the 1990s by a team led by David E. Nichols at Purdue University. 5-IAI fully substitutes for MDMA in rodents and is a putative entactogen in humans. Unlike related aminoindane derivatives like MDAI and MMAI, 5-IAI causes some serotonergic neurotoxicity in rats, but is substantially less toxic than its corresponding amphetamine homologue pIA, with the damage observed barely reaching statistical significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2-Aminoindane</span> Chemical compound

2-Aminoindane (2-AI) is a research chemical with applications in neurologic disorders and psychotherapy that has also been sold as a designer drug. It acts as a selective substrate for NET and DAT.

A serotonin releasing agent (SRA) is a type of drug that induces the release of serotonin into the neuronal synaptic cleft. A selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) is an SRA with less significant or no efficacy in producing neurotransmitter efflux at other types of monoamine neurons.

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

5-Trifluoromethyl-2-aminoindane (TAI) is a psychoactive drug and research chemical with putative entactogenic effects. It functions as a selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA). TAI is the aminoindane analogue of norfenfluramine and is approximately 50% as neurotoxic in comparison.

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

6,7-Methylenedioxy-2-aminotetralin (MDAT) is a drug developed in the 1990s by a team at Purdue University led by David E. Nichols. It appears to act as a serotonin releasing agent based on rodent drug discrimination assays comparing it to MDMA, in which it fully substitutes for, and additionally lacks any kind of serotonergic neurotoxicity. Hence, MDAT is considered likely to be a non-neurotoxic, putative entactogen in humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6-CAT</span> Chemical compound

6-Chloro-2-aminotetralin (6-CAT) is a drug which acts as a selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) and is a putative entactogen in humans. It is a rigid analogue of para-chloroamphetamine (PCA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6-APDB</span> Chemical compound

6-(2-Aminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran is a stimulant and entactogen drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine classes. It is an analogue of MDA where the heterocyclic 4-position oxygen from the 3,4-methylenedioxy ring has been replaced with a methylene bridge. 5-APDB (3-Desoxy-MDA) is an analogue of 6-APDB where the 3-position oxygen has been replaced with a methylene instead. 6-APDB, along with 5-APDB, was first synthesized by David E. Nichols in the early 1990s while investigating non-neurotoxic MDMA analogues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">4-Chlorophenylisobutylamine</span> Entactogen

4-Chlorophenylisobutylamine, also known as 4-chloro-α-ethylphenethylamine, is an entactogen and stimulant drug of the phenethylamine class. It is an analogue of para-chloroamphetamine (PCA) where the alpha position methyl has been replaced with an ethyl group.

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

Difluoromethylenedioxyamphetamine (DiFMDA) is a substituted derivative of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), which was developed by Daniel Trachsel and coworkers, along with the corresponding fluorinated derivatives of MDMA, MDEA, BDB and MBDB, with the aim of finding a non-neurotoxic drug able to be used as a less harmful substitute for entactogenic drugs such as MDMA. Since a major route of the normal metabolism of these compounds is scission of the methylenedioxy ring, producing neurotoxic metabolites such as alpha-methyldopamine, it was hoped that the difluoromethylenedioxy bioisostere would show increased metabolic stability and less toxicity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Substituted benzofuran</span> Class of chemical compounds

The substituted benzofurans are a class of chemical compounds based on the heterocyclyc and polycyclic compound benzofuran. Many medicines use the benzofuran core as a scaffold, but most commonly the term is used to refer to the simpler compounds in this class which include numerous psychoactive drugs, including stimulants, psychedelics and empathogens. In general, these compounds have a benzofuran core to which a 2-aminoethyl group is attached, and combined with a range of other substituents. Some psychoactive derivatives from this family have been sold under the name Benzofury.

References

  1. ↑ Anvisa (2023-07-24). "RDC Nº 804 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial" [Collegiate Board Resolution No. 804 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Oficial da União (published 2023-07-25). Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  2. 1 2 Nichols DE, Brewster WK, Johnson MP, Oberlender R, Riggs RM (February 1990). "Nonneurotoxic tetralin and indan analogues of 3,4-(methylenedioxy)amphetamine (MDA)". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 33 (2): 703–10. doi:10.1021/jm00164a037. PMID   1967651.
  3. ↑ Nichols DE, Barfknecht CF, Long JP, Standridge RT, Howell HG, Partyka RA, Dyer DC (February 1974). "Potential psychotomimetics. 2. Rigid analogs of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenylisopropylamine (DOM, STP)". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 17 (2): 161–6. doi:10.1021/jm00248a004. PMID   4809251.
  4. ↑ Johnson MP, Conarty PF, Nichols DE (July 1991). "[3H]monoamine releasing and uptake inhibition properties of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and p-chloroamphetamine analogues". European Journal of Pharmacology. 200 (1): 9–16. doi:10.1016/0014-2999(91)90659-e. PMID   1685125.
  5. ↑ Steele TD, Nichols DE, Yim GK (July 1987). "Stereochemical effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and related amphetamine derivatives on inhibition of uptake of [3H]monoamines into synaptosomes from different regions of rat brain". Biochemical Pharmacology. 36 (14): 2297–303. doi:10.1016/0006-2952(87)90594-6. PMID   2886126.
  6. ↑ Oberlender R, Nichols DE (1988). "Drug discrimination studies with MDMA and amphetamine". Psychopharmacology. 95 (1): 71–6. doi:10.1007/bf00212770. PMID   2898791. S2CID   19664637.
  7. ↑ Nichols DE (1986). "Differences between the mechanism of action of MDMA, MBDB, and the classic hallucinogens. Identification of a new therapeutic class: entactogens". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 18 (4): 305–13. doi:10.1080/02791072.1986.10472362. PMID   2880944.
  8. ↑ Oberlender R, Nichols DE (December 1990). "(+)-N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine as a discriminative stimulus in studies of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine-like behavioral activity". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 255 (3): 1098–106. PMID   1979813.
  9. ↑ Oberlender R, Nichols DE (March 1991). "Structural variation and (+)-amphetamine-like discriminative stimulus properties". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 38 (3): 581–6. doi:10.1016/0091-3057(91)90017-V. PMID   2068194. S2CID   19069907. PMID
  10. ↑ Marona-Lewicka D, Nichols DE (June 1994). "Behavioral effects of the highly selective serotonin releasing agent 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan". European Journal of Pharmacology. 258 (1–2): 1–13. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.688.1895 . doi:10.1016/0014-2999(94)90051-5. PMID   7925587.
  11. ↑ Kovar KA (July 1998). "Chemistry and pharmacology of hallucinogens, entactogens and stimulants". Pharmacopsychiatry. 31 (Suppl 2): 69–72. doi:10.1055/s-2007-979349. PMID   9754836. S2CID   28388528.
  12. ↑ Páleníček T, Lhotková E, Žídková M, Balíková M, Kuchař M, Himl M, et al. (August 2016). "Emerging toxicity of 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI): Pharmacokinetics, behaviour, thermoregulation and LD50 in rats". Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 69: 49–59. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2016.04.004. PMID   27083855. S2CID   33032545.
  13. ↑ Nichols DE, Johnson MP, Oberlender R (January 1991). "5-Iodo-2-aminoindan, a nonneurotoxic analogue of p-iodoamphetamine". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 38 (1): 135–9. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.670.504 . doi:10.1016/0091-3057(91)90601-w. PMID   1826785. S2CID   20485505.
  14. ↑ Johnson MP, Frescas SP, Oberlender R, Nichols DE (May 1991). "Synthesis and pharmacological examination of 1-(3-methoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane and 5-methoxy-6-methyl-2-aminoindan: similarities to 3,4-(methylenedioxy)methamphetamine (MDMA)". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 34 (5): 1662–8. doi:10.1021/jm00109a020. PMID   1674539.
  15. ↑ Johnson MP, Huang XM, Nichols DE (December 1991). "Serotonin neurotoxicity in rats after combined treatment with a dopaminergic agent followed by a nonneurotoxic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogue". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 40 (4): 915–22. doi:10.1016/0091-3057(91)90106-c. PMID   1726189. S2CID   7199902.
  16. ↑ Nichols DE, Marona-Lewicka D, Huang X, Johnson MP (1993). "Novel serotonergic agents". Drug Design and Discovery. 9 (3–4): 299–312. PMID   8400010.
  17. ↑ Sprague JE, Johnson MP, Schmidt CJ, Nichols DE (October 1996). "Studies on the mechanism of p-chloroamphetamine neurotoxicity". Biochemical Pharmacology. 52 (8): 1271–7. doi:10.1016/0006-2952(96)00482-0. PMID   8937435.
  18. ↑ Cozzi NV, Frescas S, Marona-Lewicka D, Huang X, Nichols DE (March 1998). "Indan analogs of fenfluramine and norfenfluramine have reduced neurotoxic potential". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 59 (3): 709–15. doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(97)00557-1. PMID   9512076. S2CID   41048219.
  19. ↑ Gallagher CT, Assi S, Stair JL, Fergus S, Corazza O, Corkery JM, Schifano F (March 2012). "5,6-Methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane: from laboratory curiosity to 'legal high'". Human Psychopharmacology. 27 (2): 106–12. doi:10.1002/hup.1255. PMID   22389075. S2CID   205924978.
  20. ↑ Brandt SD, Sumnall HR, Measham F, Cole J (July 2010). "Second generation mephedrone. The confusing case of NRG-1". BMJ. 341: c3564. doi:10.1136/bmj.c3564. PMID   20605894. S2CID   20354123.
  21. ↑ Corkery JM, Elliott S, Schifano F, Corazza O, Ghodse AH (July 2013). "MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane; 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[f][1,3]benzodioxol-6-amine; 'sparkle'; 'mindy') toxicity: a brief overview and update". Human Psychopharmacology. 28 (4): 345–55. doi:10.1002/hup.2298. PMID   23881883. S2CID   12322724.
  22. ↑ "关于印发《非药用类麻醉药品和精神药品列管办法》的通知" (in Chinese). China Food and Drug Administration. 27 September 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Lists of euphoriant substances subject to control in Denmark". The Danish Medicines Agency. September 2015.
  24. ↑ "812.121.11" (PDF). Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (Regulation of the EDI about the directories of drugs, psychotropic substances, precursors and auxiliary chemicals) (in German). Das Eidgenössische Departement des Innern (EDI). December 2011.
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