Homoveratrylamine

Description3,4-Dimethoxyphenylethylamine, also known as 3,4-DMPEA or DMPEA is an endogenous metabolite found in urine that belongs to both the phenethylamine and catecholamine families. DMPEA is an analogue of dopamine (3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamine), with a substitution of the hydroxy groups with methoxy groups. It is also structurally similar to mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylethylamine) and occurs naturally alongside it in various species of cacti such as the San Pedro and Peruvian Torch. DMPEA received wide attention after it was proposed as a biomarker in schizophrenic patients urine, however later studies revealed that DMPEA is also excreted by non-schizophrenics. DMPEA has little known bioactivity, but it has some action as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. It has also been shown to have neurotoxic effects, especially in the nigrostriatal system and among dopaminergic neurons. DMPEA appears to be an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I.

Occurrence3,4-Dimethoxyphenethylamine is a natural product found in Pilosocereus leucocephalus, Vachellia rigidula, and Ototropis elegans with data available.

Uses3,4-Dimethoxyphenethylamine is a methylated metabolite of Dopamine (D533780); a potent inhibitor of brain mitochondrial respiration used in Parkinson’s disease studies.

UsesPrecursor for the synthesis of isoquinolines.