3-APBT, also known by its former developmental code name SKF-6678 and as 3-(2-aminopropyl)benzo[ò]thiophene, as well as 1-thia-ñ-methyltryptamine (1-thia-AMT), is a monoamine releasing agent and serotonin receptor agonist of the benzothiophene group. It is an analogue of ñ-methyltryptamine (AMT) in which the indole ring has been replaced with a benzothiophene ring.
The drug acts as a potent and well-balanced serotoninâÂÂnorepinephrineâÂÂdopamine releasing agent (SNDRA). It is also a full agonist of the serotonin 5-HT<sub>2</sub> receptors, including of the serotonin 5-HT<sub>2A</sub>, 5-HT<sub>2B</sub>, and 5-HT<sub>2C</sub> receptors. 3-APBT produces the head-twitch response, a behavioral proxy of psychedelic effects, in rodents. It does not stimulate locomotor activity in rodents, suggesting that it does not possess stimulant-type effects. The drug has been reported be a weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), specifically of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) ( = 4,000âÂÂ16,200nM).
3-APBT was developed by Smith, Kline & French (SKF) as a potential pharmaceutical drug in the late 1950s. The drug and its positional isomer 2-APBT were reported to produce various central nervous system (CNS) effects and to be useful as a "ataractics, psychic energizers, and analgetics". 3-APBT has also been reported to have appetite suppressant effects in rodents, but to have considerably lower potency than AMT as an "analeptic" in rodents.