Reduction in brain serotonin markers by α-ethyltryptamine (Monase)

α-Ethyltryptamine (Monase) is both an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase and a monoamine releasing agent. To determine whether α-ethyltryptamine induces serotonergic deficits similar to that of other monoamine releasing agents such as 3,4-methyl-enedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and para-chloroamphetamine (PCA), rats were given multiple doses (8 × 30 mg/kg s.c.) of α-ethyltryptamine acetate. Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) levels and the number of 5-HT uptake sites (determined from (-³H]Paroxetine binding) were significantly decreased in frontal cortex samples at one week killing. A significant decrease in 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels was also observed in rat hippocampal samples. The results provide evidence that β-ethyltryptamine may induce serotonin neurotoxicity similar to that of MDMA and PCA.