MEAI explained

MEAI, also known as 5-methoxy-2-aminoindane (5-MeO-AI), is a monoamine releasing agent of the 2-aminoindane group. It specifically acts as a selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA). The drug is under development for the treatment of alcoholism, cocaine use disorder, metabolic syndrome, and obesity under the developmental code name CMND-100.

Effects

When used recreationally, MEAI is reported to produce mild psychoactive effects and euphoria.

Pharmacology

MEAI is a monoamine releasing agent.[1] It is a modestly selective serotonin releasing agent, with 6-fold preference for induction of serotonin release over norepinephrine release and 20-fold preference for induction of serotonin release over dopamine release. In addition to inducing monoamine neurotransmitter release, MEAI has moderate affinity for the α2-adrenergic receptor. Based on these findings, MEAI might produce MDMA-like entactogenic and sympathomimetic effects but may be expected to have reduced misuse liability in comparison.

History

MEAI appears to have been first synthesized in 1956.Its molecular structure was first mentioned implicitly in a markush structure schema appearing in a patent from 1998.[2] It was later explicitly and pharmacologically described in a peer reviewed paper in 2017 by David Nutt and Ezekiel Golan et al.[3] followed by another in February 2018 which detailed the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and metabolism of MEAI by Shimshoni, David Nutt, Ezekiel Golan et al.[4] One year later it was studied and reported on in another peer reviewed paper by Halberstadt et al.[5] The aminoindane family of molecules was, perhaps, first chemically described in 1980.[6] [7]

Alcohol substitute

MEAI was an early candidate of alcohol replacement drugs that came to market during a late 2010s movement to replace alcohol with less-toxic alternatives spearheaded by British psychopharmacologist David Nutt[8] [9] [10] rippling to the rest of Europe.[11]

In an act of gonzo journalism, Michael Slezak writing for New Scientist, tried and reported on his experience with MEAI after being provided with it by Dr Zee[12] (Ezekiel Golan) after an interview[13] Golan claimed he invented MEAI and originally intended MEAI to be sold as a legal high but instead indicated plans to work with David Nutt and his company DrugScience to develop MEAI further based on Golan's patents as a "binge behaviour regulator"[14] and "alcoholic beverage substitute".[15]

Pharmaceutical development

On May 26, 2022, MEAI was prepared for FDA registration by Clearmind Medicine Inc.;[22] [23] [24] Clearmind Medicine claims wide intellectual property holdings to Ezekiel Golan's patents.[25] [26] [27] [28] In March 2022 Clearmind Medicine announced supportive evidence from animal studies in mice attesting to suppression of alcohol consumption.[29] In June 2022 Clearmind Medicine announced promising results from animal studies that showed promise for treating cocaine addiction with MEAI.[30] [31]

MEAI, under the developmental code name CMND-100, is under development by Clearmind Medicine for the treatment of alcoholism, cocaine use disorder, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.[32] As of October 2024, it is in the preclinical stage of development for these indications.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Halberstadt AL, Brandt SD, Walther D, Baumann MH . 2-Aminoindan and its ring-substituted derivatives interact with plasma membrane monoamine transporters and α2-adrenergic receptors . Psychopharmacology (Berl) . 236 . 3 . 989–999 . March 2019 . 30904940 . 6848746 . 10.1007/s00213-019-05207-1 .
  2. US. 5708018. 2-aminoindans as selective dopamine D3 ligands. 1998-01-13. Haadsma-Svensson SR, Andersson BR, Sonesson CA, Lin CH, Waters RN, Svensson KA, Carlsson PA, Hansson LO, Stjernlof NP . Pharmacia & Upjohn Co..
  3. Shimshoni JA, Winkler I, Edery N, Golan E, van Wettum R, Nutt D . Toxicological evaluation of 5-methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI): Binge mitigating agent in development . Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology . 319 . 59–68 . March 2017 . 28167221 . 10.1016/j.taap.2017.01.018 . 205304106 .
  4. Shimshoni JA, Sobol E, Golan E, Ben Ari Y, Gal O . Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of 5-methoxy-2-aminoindane (MEAI): A new binge-mitigating agent . Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology . 343 . 29–39 . March 2018 . 29458138 . 10.1016/j.taap.2018.02.009 . 3879333 .
  5. Halberstadt AL, Brandt SD, Walther D, Baumann MH . 2-Aminoindan and its ring-substituted derivatives interact with plasma membrane monoamine transporters and α2-adrenergic receptors . Psychopharmacology . 236 . 3 . 989–999 . March 2019 . 30904940 . 6848746 . 10.1007/s00213-019-05207-1 .
  6. Sainsbury PD, Kicman AT, Archer RP, King LA, Braithwaite RA . Aminoindanes--the next wave of 'legal highs'? . Drug Testing and Analysis . 3 . 7–8 . 479–482 . 2011 . 21748859 . 10.1002/dta.318 .
  7. Cannon JG, Perez JA, Pease JP, Long JP, Flynn JR, Rusterholz DB, Dryer SE . Comparison of biological effects of N-alkylated congeners of beta-phenethylamine derived from 2-aminotetralin, 2-aminoindan, and 6-aminobenzocycloheptene . Journal of Medicinal Chemistry . 23 . 7 . 745–749 . July 1980 . 7190613 . 10.1021/jm00181a009 .
  8. Web site: Nutt D . Decision making about illegal drugs: time for science to take the lead . Nobel Forum, Karolinska Institutet . 23 October 2013 . . en.
  9. Nutt DJ, King LA, Phillips LD . Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis . Lancet . London, England . 376 . 9752 . 1558–65 . November 2010 . 21036393 . 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61462-6 . 5667719 .
  10. News: Forster K . Hangover free alcohol is finally here . 25 March 2022 . The Independent . 24 September 2016 . en.
  11. Web site: Rauschmittel und gesellschaftliche Probleme . Drug related societal issues . Benedict Wermter . Wermter B . de-DE . 29 April 2019.
  12. News: Slezak M . 9 August 2014 . An Interview with Dr Z . 1–3 . New Scientist . 16 October 2022.
  13. Web site: Slezak M . 30 December 2014 . High and dry? Party drug could target excess drinking . 2022-10-16 . New Scientist . en-US.
  14. US . 10406123B2. Binge behavior regulators. 2019-09-10. Golan E .
  15. US . 20170360067 . Alcoholic beverage substitutes . 2017-12-21 . Golan E .
  16. Web site: Advisory - Health Canada warns consumers that Pace, promoted as an alcohol substitute, is unauthorized and may pose serious health risks . Health Canada . CISION . 21 December 2018 .
  17. Web site: Brunet J . 24 April 2019 . FACT CHECK: Is Pace, an "Alcohol Alternative," Legal in Canada? . The Walrus . Toronto, Ontario .
  18. News: Wright J . 8 December 2018 . Is this drink really a new 'alcohol alternative'? . All . Information Morning Saint John . 15 October 2022.
  19. Web site: Extance A . 6 September 2017 . The rising tide of 'legal highs' . 2022-10-17 . Chemistry World . en.
  20. Web site: 23 January 2018 . Meet Dr. Zee - the man who invented legal highs . BBC .
  21. Web site: Jonze T . 24 May 2016 . Dr Zee, the godfather of legal highs: 'I test everything on myself' . TheGuardian.com.
  22. Web site: Clearmind Medicine . www.clearmindmedicine.com.
  23. Web site: Clearmind Medicine Inc. . CSE:CMND .
  24. News: החברה שמנסה להפוך סם פסיכדלי למוצר נגד התמכרות . The company trying to turn a psychedelic drug into an anti-addiction product . Globes . 16 February 2022 . Hebrew . וינרב . גלי .
  25. US. 10137096. 2018-11-27. Binge behavior regulators. Golan E .
  26. EP. 3230256. 2019-11-13. Alcoholic beverage substitutes. Golan E .
  27. EP. 3230255. 2017-10-18. Binge behavior regulators. Golan E .
  28. Web site: The Science and IP Behind our Treatments . Clearmind .
  29. Web site: Clearmind Medicine . www.clearmindmedicine.com.
  30. Web site: Clearmind Medicine . www.clearmindmedicine.com . 14 August 2022.
  31. Web site: Clearmind Medicine . 2022-10-16 . www.clearmindmedicine.com.
  32. Web site: 5-Methoxy 2-aminoindane . AdisInsight . 16 October 2024 . 24 October 2024.

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