Summary
CMA (p-chloro-N-methylamphetamine) lowers the cerebral 5-HT concentration in test animals but has virtually no effect on the catecholamine concentrations. Moreover, this compound was found to behave in depressive patients like an antidepressive drug, not like a central stimulant of the amphetmine type. The study described was conducted in order to establish whether CMA influences the overall metabolism of indoleamines in man.
Such an influence was clearly demonstrable. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that CMA releases 5-HT from its depots. It has not been explained why a considerable proportion of the released 5-HT is excreted unchanged and why the increase in 5-HIAA excretion is so small: the overall activity of MAO was found not to be inhibited. No indications of abnormal 5-HT degradation were found at this time.
Patients with vital depressions who improved on CMA medication showed a lower 5-HIAA excretion before treatment than did patients who were refractory to CMA treatment. This is consistent with earlier observations. The possible cause of this phenomenon is discussed. Among the various possibilities considered, an abnormal 5-HT metabolism is regarded as the most plausible. Pertinent investigations are being continued.
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This study was supported by grants from the Netherlands Organization for Pure Research (ZWO).
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van Praag, H.M., Korf, J., van Woudenberg, F. et al. Influencing the human indoleamine metabolism by means of a chlorinated amphetamine derivative with antidepressive action (p-Chloro-N-Methylamphetamine). Psychopharmacologia 13, 145–160 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404812
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404812