Two new psychoactive substances, DOB and PMA, which are structurally similar to MDMA and sold as ecstasy, impair motor behavior and sensorimotor responses in mice and induce hallucinatory states in zebrafish. In CD-1 male mice, acute administration of DOB and PMA (0.01–30 mg/kg) reduced spontaneous locomotion and disrupted prepulse inhibition of startle responses to visual, acoustic, and tactile stimuli. In zebrafish, lower doses of DOB (0.075–2 mg/kg) and PMA (0.0005–0.5 mg/kg) decreased swimming activity and reduced a hallucinatory score, indicating pro-psychedelic effects. These findings suggest the substances alter sensorimotor gating and may produce hallucinogen-like states.
MDMA and its derivatives DOB and PMA increase social, rewarding, and anxiety-reducing behaviors in adult zebrafish. These effects are blocked by a V1a vasopressin antagonist (SR49059), suggesting the oxytocin/vasopressin system plays a key role. The drugs also raised brain levels of isotocin (fish oxytocin) 3–5 times above control levels. The findings indicate that the oxytocin/vasopressin system mediates the behavioral effects of these substances, linking it to substance abuse disorders.