The novel ketamine analog methoxetamine produces dissociative-like behavioral effects in rodents.
Psychopharmacology April 1, 2016 Adam L Halberstadt, Natalia Slepak, James Hyun et al.
Methoxetamine (MXE), a ketamine analog sold online, produces behavioral effects in rats that closely resemble those of other dissociative anesthetics like phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine. In Sprague-Dawley rats, MXE disrupted prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg, with a potency ranking (PCP > MXE > S-(+)-ketamine > NANM > R-(-)-ketamine) that matches their affinities for the PCP binding site on NMDA receptors. In the behavioral pattern monitor, 10 mg/kg MXE caused locomotor hyperactivity, reduced rearing, increased path roughness, and perseverative locomotion—effects similar to those of PCP. These findings indicate MXE acts as a dissociative drug with abuse potential comparable to PCP and ketamine.