Rationale Although the synthetic cathinone 4-methylmethcathinone (4-MMC, mephedrone) has been a subject of intensive research investigation, the pharmacological mechanisms involved in its interoceptive stimulus effects have yet to be fully characterized. Objective The present study employed drug discrimination methods in rats to compare the interoceptive stimulus properties of two different training doses of 4-MMC to other substances with similar pharmacological actions. Methods Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate either 1.0 mg/kg (N=8) or 3.0 mg/kg (N=8) 4-MMC from saline. Substitution tests were conducted with drugs that increase extracellular monoamine levels (d-amphetamine, (+)-methamphetamine, 4-MMC, MDMA, MDPV, and (−)-cocaine), a serotonin releaser (+)-fenfluramine, and a serotonergic (5-HT2A) hallucinogen (+)-LSD. Results Stimulus control was established in fewer sessions in the subjects trained with 3.0 mg/kg compared to those trained with 1.0 mg/kg 4-MMC. Cocaine, MDMA, and d-amphetamine produced full substitution in the 1.0 mg/kg 4-MMC-trained rats at doses that did not decrease response rate. However, doses of test drugs that engendered >80% 4-MMC-lever selection concurrently produced rate-decreasing effects in rats trained to discriminate 3.0 mg/kg 4-MMC. Conclusions These findings further characterize the interoceptive stimulus effects of 4-MMC and indicate that these effects vary little with training dose, however qualitative differences in substitutability of test drugs were observed between training groups. This study expands existing knowledge regarding the psychopharmacology of 4-MMC and the potential neurochemical substrates contributing to its subjective effects.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.