Scientists at the Oregon Health and Science University have discovered and characterized a receptor for trace amines that may be instrumental in developing new anti psychostimulant medications.

The investigators characterized a G-protein-coupled receptor called trace amine receptor (TAR), which stimulates the production of cAMP when exposed to the trace amines tyramine, tryptamine, octopamine, and para-tyramine. This latter substance is structurally and functionally related to amphetamines.

Although TAR is found in humans, the scientists used rats to demonstrate that beta-PEA for beta-phenylethylamine, a substituted amphetamine that represents a class of hallucinogens that include mescaline, MDMA (known on the street as "ecstasy"), and MDA, is the substance that most increased the receptivity of TAR. This finding suggests that the effects of amphetamines may be mediated in part by the TAR receptor.

The results of this study indicate that the activation of TAR may be responsible for some of the psychological effects of psychostimulants; therefore, TAR may represent an important new target for the development of anti-psychostimulant medications.