Inhibition of apomorphine-induced behaviors by derivatives of 2-amino-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene.

In order to elucidate the pharmacological properties of a series of 1-phenyl-2-aminopropane and 2-amino-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives, their ability to inhibit a number of apomorphine-induced behaviors was investigated. Several members of the series under study were potent inhibitors of apomorphine-induced pecking behavior in pigeons, emesis in dogs, and gnawing in rats. In addition, these compounds were able to inhibit responding in self-stimulating rats and to a lesser degree counteracted the depression of the linguomandibular reflex induced by 5, 6-dihydroxy-2-dimethylamino-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene (M-7) in the cat. The most effective member of the experimental compounds was N-methyl-5, 8-dimethoxy-2-amino-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene; however, neither this material nor any of the related structures were able to inhibit apomorphine-induced rotational behavior in substantia nigra lesioned rats. The possibility that the more effective members of the experimental series are able to inhibit certain apomorphine-induced behaviors by stimulation of central alpha adrenergic receptors is discussed.