Two aporphine analogues to the potent and selective serotonin (5-HT) agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-di-n-propylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) were studied with regard to their actions upon central monoaminergic systems. The biochemical and behavioural findings indicate that 8-hydroxy-N-methyl-aporphine (8-OH aporphine) and its N-n-propyl analogue (8-OH PNA) possess weak dopamine/noradrenaline antagonist- and agonist-like properties, respectively. In addition, both aporphines seemed to only weakly influence serotoninergic transmission. The latter findings are compared to those of known serotonin agonists (e.g. 8-OH-DPAT), and are discussed with particular reference to the structural requirements for activation of central 5-HT receptors.