High affinity and highly potent activator of muscarinic DREADDs (Ki values are 6.3 nM for hM3Dq and 4.2 nM for hM4Di, in vitro; EC50 values are 0.13 nM for hM3Dq and 0.081 nM for hM4Di, in vitro). Derivative of clozapine (Cat. No. 0444). Exhibits 100-fold greater affinity for hM3Dq and hM4Di compared to clozapine N-oxide (CNO; Cat. No. 4936), and 50-fold greater affinity compared to DREADD agonist 21 (Cat. No. 5548). Displays low 'off-target' receptor binding (Ki>100 nM at majority of GPCRs, ion channels and transporters tested). Displays rapid (approx. 10 minutes after i.p injection) binding and activation of hM3Dq and hM4Di in mice and non-human primates. Induces spatial memory deficits in non-human primates expressing hM4Di in the prefrontal cortex.
Systemic delivery of low doses of DCZ (1 or 3 μg per kg) enhanced neuronal activity via hM3Dq within minutes in mice and monkeys. Intramuscular injections of DCZ (100 μg per kg) reversibly induced spatial working memory deficits in monkeys expressing hM4Di in the prefrontal cortex.