The Abuse Potential of Novel Synthetic Phencyclidine Derivative 1-(1-(4-Fluorophenyl)Cyclohexyl)Piperidine (4'-F-PCP) in Rodents.
International journal of molecular sciences June 29, 2020 In Soo Ryu, Oc-Hee Kim, Young Eun Lee et al.
The designer drug 4'-F-PCP, a derivative of the dissociative anesthetic phencyclidine (PCP), shows a high potential for abuse. In rodents, a 10 mg/kg dose increased movement and rearing, and produced conditioned place preference, indicating rewarding effects. Intravenous self-administration of 1.0 mg/kg/infusion was robust, with a higher breakpoint under progressive ratio schedules, suggesting strong reinforcing properties. The drug altered dopamine transporter and D1 receptor expression in the nucleus accumbens and increased phosphorylated ERK, CREB, c-Fos, and FosB/ΔFosB, indicating activation of dopamine-related signaling pathways. These findings indicate that 4'-F-PCP has significant abuse liability.