Acute effects of BZP, TFMPP and the combination of BZP and TFMPP in comparison to dexamphetamine on an auditory oddball task using electroencephalography: a single-dose study

A single oral dose of either TFMPP or dexamphetamine significantly reduced the P300 amplitude, a measure of brain electrical activity related to attention and information processing. A similar trend was observed with BZP alone. However, the combination of BZP and TFMPP had no effect on P300 amplitude. Neither P300 latency nor reaction time was affected by any drug treatment, nor were earlier sensory components P100 and P200. The findings suggest that BZP and TFMPP, but not their combination, affect auditory sensory-evoked P300 potential in a manner similar to dexamphetamine.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Rationale Piperazine-based designer drugs such as benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) have been marketed and sold as legal alternatives to dexamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) until 2008 in New Zealand. When administered in combination, BZP + TFMPP have been reported to produce drug-drug synergism in rodents by stimulating the release of dopamine and serotonin. Objectives This study was to evaluate the acute event-related potential effects of BZP, TFMPP or the combination of BZP + TFMPP compared with dexamphetamine in young healthy male adults. Methods A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of BZP, TFMPP, the combination of BZP + TFMPP, and dexamphetamine on the event-related potentials during an auditory oddball task. Healthy, right-handed males were given a single oral dose of either BZP (200 mg), TFMPP (60 mg), a combination of BZP + TFMPP (100/30 mg), dexamphetamine (20 mg) or placebo (lactose) and tested both before and 120 min after drug administration. Results A single dose of either TMFPP ( t = −2.29, p = 0.03) or dexamphetamine ( t = −2.33, p = 0.02) significantly reduced the P300 amplitude. A similar trend was also found in BZP. In contrast, BZP and TFMPP in combination has no effect. Neither P300 latency nor the mean reaction time was affected by any of the drug treatments. In addition, neither the P100 nor the P200 component was significantly affected following any of the drug treatments. Conclusions A single oral dose of BZP or TFMPP, but not the combination of BZP/TFMPP, affected auditory sensory-evoked P300 potential in a manner similar to dexamphetamine.