Dose-effect analysis of 6-APB ("Benzofury") on fear memory, motor behavior, and reward.

Kyla M Whitelock, Kaitlin R Van Alstyne, Liam J Conaboy, Jinah L Kim, Stephan G Anagnostaras

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Article in Psychopharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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5 authors.

Kyla M WhitelockDepartment of Psychology , Molecular Cognition Laboratory, University of California, MC 0109, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0109, USA. kwhitelock@ucsd.edu.

Kaitlin R Van AlstyneDepartment of Psychology , Molecular Cognition Laboratory, University of California, MC 0109, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0109, USA.

Liam J ConaboyDepartment of Psychology , Molecular Cognition Laboratory, University of California, MC 0109, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0109, USA.

Jinah L KimDepartment of Psychology , Molecular Cognition Laboratory, University of California, MC 0109, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0109, USA.

Stephan G AnagnostarasDepartment of Psychology , Molecular Cognition Laboratory, University of California, MC 0109, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0109, USA.

Funding

the National Institute of Health National Institute on Drug Abuse DA020041the University of California, San Diego Altman Clini- cal and Translational Research Institute, via the National Institute of Health National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences program grant UL1TR001442

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

rationale6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (6-APB) is a recreational drug that is structurally similar to MDMA. Very little is known about the behavioral effects of 6-APB or its dose-effect relationship in vivo. As the popularity of new psychoactive substances (NPS), such as 6-APB, increases due to their unscheduled status and easy availability, it is important to understand the potential benefits and/or harms of such substances.

objectivesThe current study aims to establish a dose-effect curve of 6-APB on fear memory, pain sensitivity, motor coordination, and addiction-related behavior in mice.

methodsMale and female hybrid C57BL/6Jx129S1/SvImJ mice were used to examine the effects of 0.01 to 5 mg/kg of 6-APB on Pavlovian fear conditioning; flinch, jump, vocalize; Accelerating Rotarod; behavioral sensitization, conditioned place preference, and conditioned responding.

resultsWe found that 6-APB elicits effects at very low doses (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg), while impairing short-term fear memory and long-term context memory at a dose of 5 mg/kg. We also observed that 6-APB produces modest locomotor sensitization and may produce addiction. Finally, there is evidence of reduced shock reactivity; this was not likely due to analgesia and more likely due to ataxia produced by the drug.

conclusions6-APB produces a behavioral profile broadly similar to MDMA, with amnesic effects emerging at higher doses than MDMA and a larger gap between potential therapeutic doses and doses that produce cognitive deficits. These findings suggest 6-APB may not be the low-risk therapeutic alternative to MDMA currently sought in clinical contexts, though further research is warranted.

Indexed as

6-APBBenzofuryMDMA derivativeNovel psychoactive substance

Identifiers

PMID42443619

DOI10.1016/j.bbr.2006.10.008

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