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Draft entry. Written from the cited papers but not yet reviewed by a person. Check the references before relying on any claim.
Phenethylamine derivative

PRL-8-53

also PRL 8-53 · PRL-8-53 hydrochloride

PRL-8-53 is a synthetic compound with one published double-blind human experiment from 1978 [1]. Its abstract reports better verbal retention and a smaller acquisition effect, but no improvement in visual reaction time or motor control [1]. The publisher full text was unavailable, so the dose, sample size and adverse-event details could not be verified.

One old, unreplicated human memory signal, with too little accessible evidence to judge an effective dose, mechanism or safety.

2D chemical structure of PRL-8-53
C18H22ClNO2319.8 g/molCID 70700868 ↗
Early human trials1 papers · 1978–1978 · 1 journals · 1 in humans
  • meta-analysis
  • RCT
  • trial
  • observational
  • preclinical / case
  • review / patent / other
  • retracted
1978 · RCT · PRL-8-53: enhanced learning and subsequent retention in humans as a result of low oral doses of new psychotropic agent.
in its favour
  • + Verbal retention improved in one double-blind experiment
  • + A smaller learning-acquisition signal was reported
watch for
  • − No reported improvement in visual reaction time or motor control
  • − No accessible full text to verify dose or safety details
  • − No independent clinical replication identified

Overview

PRL-8-53 was reported in a 1978 double-blind human experiment using a serial anticipation learning task. The authors described a slight improvement during acquisition and a clearer improvement in later verbal retention [1]. They did not observe an effect on visual reaction time or motor control [1].

This is one report, not a replicated clinical programme. The accessible abstract does not establish the sample size, oral dose, duration, or magnitude of the retention effect; the publisher page did not provide free full text [1]. Those details should not be filled from secondary retellings.

Mechanism

A specific receptor target or human mechanism was not demonstrated in the cited study. The chemical structure alone does not show how the reported memory result arose [1].

Dosing

as studied or commonly reported; not a recommendation

No doses are listed for this compound.No peer-reviewed human dosing data.

Form
The PubChem identity used here is the hydrochloride salt; the accessible clinical abstract describes oral dosing but does not specify its form [1].
Notes
A human experiment exists, but the publisher full text was unavailable and its abstract does not report the dose or schedule; no verified study-dose row can be given [1].

Safety

risks and cautions, not medical advice

The accessible abstract reports null findings for visual reaction time and motor control, but it does not provide a systematic adverse-event account [1]. With the full text unavailable and only one old human experiment, short- and long-term safety cannot be characterised.

Cautions
who should think twice
  • The published abstract does not permit a supported human dosing or safety recommendation [1]
Limits of the evidence
what has not been shown
  • One double-blind human report from 1978 with no independently replicated clinical result located [1]
  • Publisher full text unavailable; dose, sample size and adverse events cannot be verified from the abstract [1]
  • No established receptor mechanism or pharmacokinetic measurements in the cited human paper

FAQ

What human evidence is there for PRL-8-53?
One 1978 double-blind experiment reported improved verbal retention but no visual reaction-time or motor-control benefit; its accessible abstract lacks dose and safety details [1].

References

entry last reviewed 2026-09-24
  1. [1]
    PRL-8-53: enhanced learning and subsequent retention in humans as a result of low oral doses of new psychotropic agent.
    Hansl NR, Mead BTPsychopharmacology (Berl) 1978RCT · humanPMID 418433◌ unreviewed