1,2,3,4-TETRAHYDROISOQUINOLINE AND RELATED ANALOGS OF THE PHENYLALKYLAMINE DESIGNER DRUG MDMA

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) analogs of 1-(3,4-methylenedioxyp henyl)-2-aminopropane (MDA) and its N-methyl derivative, MDMA similar in structure to a TIQ metabolite of MDA, were prepared and examined (a ) in tests of central stimulant activity in mice, (b) for their abilit y to bind at human 5-HT2A receptors, and (c) in tests of stimulus gene ralization in rats trained to discriminate MDMA from vehicle. In gener al, the TIQ analogs failed to display appreciable activity in any assa y system. Conversely, certain 2-aminotetralin and 2-aminoindan analogs were active in the stimulus generalization studies. It is concluded t hat TIQ-like conformations do not account for the actions typically as sociated with MDA- and MDMA-related agents.