N-Bn-THAZ

N-Bn-THAZ is a selective agonist of the serotonin 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C receptors. It is a derivative of THAZ, which itself is a weak antagonist of the glycine and GABA_A receptors related to the experimental drug gaboxadol.

N-Bn-THAZ shows high affinity, activational potency, and efficacy at the serotonin 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C receptors. Its affinities (K_i) were 8,800nM at the serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor and 2,300nM at the serotonin 5-HT_2C receptor, while its activational activities ( <nowiki>[</nowiki><nowiki>]</nowiki>) were 550 to 2,400nM (80–95%) at the serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor and 420 to 1,700nM (90–92%) at the serotonin 5-HT_2C receptor. N-Bn-THAZ showed selectivity for these receptors over numerous other targets, notably including the serotonin 5-HT_2B receptor antitarget.

The drug has been found to produce pro-cognitive-like effects in rodents. These effects could be fully reversed by the selective serotonin 5-HT_2C receptor antagonist SB-242084. The researchers did not assess N-Bn-THAZ in terms of psychedelic-like effects, but as a serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor agonist, they noted that the drug could potentially produce hallucinogenic effects. Due to its lack of serotonin 5-HT_2B receptor activity, N-Bn-THAZ would not be expected to have the cardiovascular adverse effects of agonists of this receptor.

N-Bn-THAZ was developed by Povl Krogsgaard-Larsen and colleagues and was first described in the scientific literature by 2013. Structurally, N-Bn-THAZ is an isoxazole and is distinct from other serotonin 5-HT₂ receptor agonists, such as the tryptamines and phenethylamines. Other analogues of N-Bn-THAZ, such as O-Bn-THAZ, which is also active as a serotonin 5-HT₂ receptor agonist, have been synthesized and studied as well.

See also

• List of miscellaneous 5-HT_2A receptor agonists

References