Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elisabet Teixido, Clara Riera-Colomer, Demetrio Raldua, David Pubill, Elena Escubedo, Marta Barenys, Raul Lopez-Arnau
Summary: This study evaluates the cardiovascular toxicity of synthetic cathinones and traditional psychostimulants in zebrafish embryos. The results show that all drugs can induce bradycardia, arrhythmia, and atrial-ventricular block, with MDPV being the most potent in inducing these effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Felix Zapata, Jose Manuel Matey, Gemma Montalvo, Carmen Garcia-Ruiz
Summary: This work reviews fundamental concepts about drugs, focusing on new psychoactive substances (NPS) and their classifications. A revised classification based on chemical composition is proposed to merge recent chemical groupings of NPS from various institutions, aiming to be useful for forensic practitioners/researchers.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Flaminia Vincenti, Adolfo Gregori, Martina Flammini, Fabiana Di Rosa, Alberto Salomone
Summary: The availability and consumption of NPS have increased rapidly, posing risks to public health and challenging law enforcement efforts. Through analysis using GC-MS and HPLC-HRMS, synthetic cathinones were identified as the most prevalent compounds in NPS on the Italian territory.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Fabrizio Schifano, Stefania Chiappini, Andrea Miuli, John Martin Corkery, Norbert Scherbaum, Flavia Napoletano, Davide Arillotta, Caroline Zangani, Valeria Catalani, Alessandro Vento, Mauro Pettorruso, Giovanni Martinotti, Di Giannantonio Massimo, Amira Guirguis
Summary: The use of several new psychoactive substances (NPS) has become popular, posing global health risks. This systematic review investigated the association between Serotonin Syndrome (SS) and NPS intake, finding that various NPS can lead to SS, including psychedelic phenethylamines and synthetic cathinones. Most substances were ingested orally, but other routes were reported. A majority of subjects had no psychiatric history.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
F. Ivy Carroll, Anita H. Lewin, S. Wayne Mascarella, Herbert H. Seltzman, P. Anantha Reddy
Summary: The review discusses the exponential increase in clandestine manufacture of new psychoactive substances designed to circumvent regulations, which has led to a rise in fatalities. It focuses on three compound classes and highlights the medicinal chemistry approaches used by clandestine laboratories to develop new substances, as well as the chemical methods for treating illicit drug abuse.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Franks Kamgang Nzekoue, Marco Agostini, Michele Verboni, Caterina Renzoni, Lucia Alfieri, Simone Barocci, Massimo Ricciutelli, Giovanni Caprioli, Simone Lucarini
Summary: A rapid LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the targeted analysis of 98 NPS from hair matrix, showing good precision, linearity, selectivity, and sensitivity, as well as reduced matrix effect and acceptable recovery. The method is suitable for quantifying NPS in hair matrix and could be employed in routine analyses in analytical laboratories.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Cui-Mei Liu, Zhen-Dong Hua, Chun-Hui Song, Wei Jia
Summary: This study presents the analytical characterization of three cathinones and one N-pyrrolidinyl-substituted amphetamine derivative. Various analytical techniques, such as UHPLC-QTOF-MS, GC-Orbitrap-MS, NMR, and FT-IR, were employed for identification and structure elucidation. The study also examined the CID, EI, and EAD pathways of these compounds, and applied qNMR for quantitative analysis. This is the first report on compounds 3 and 4, providing valuable insights for forensic laboratories in analyzing similar new psychoactive substances (NPS).
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga Wronikowska-Denysiuk, Agnieszka Michalak, Anna Pankowska, Lukasz Kurach, Paulina Koziol, Artur Lazorczyk, Katarzyna Kochalska, Katarzyna Targowska-Duda, Anna Boguszewska-Czubara, Barbara Budzynska
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the role of the GABA-ergic system in the rewarding effects of mephedrone. The results showed that GS39783, a positive allosteric modulator of GABA(B) receptors, blocked mephedrone-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), while baclofen, a GABA(B) receptor agonist, did not. Chromatographic analysis confirmed the behavioral effect, revealing a decrease in GABA hippocampal concentration following mephedrone administration. This study provides new insight into the involvement of the GABA-ergic system in the rewarding effects of mephedrone and suggests the potential of GABA(B) receptors as new targets for the pharmacological management of mephedrone use disorder.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annagiulia Di Trana, Diletta Berardinelli, Eva Montanari, Paolo Berretta, Giuseppe Basile, Marilyn A. Huestis, Francesco Paolo Busardo
Summary: Adulteration is a common practice in drug production, where active ingredients are intentionally added to alter drug effects and increase profits. The types of adulterants used vary over time. Constant monitoring of adulterants is crucial to protect drug consumers' health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marco Niello, Spyridon Sideromenos, Ralph Gradisch, Ronan O'Shea, Jakob Schwazer, Julian Maier, Nina Kastner, Walter Sandtner, Kathrin Jantsch, Carl R. Lupica, Alexander F. Hoffman, Gert Lubec, Claus J. Loland, Thomas Stockner, Daniela D. Pollak, Michael H. Baumann, Harald H. Sitte
Summary: By using various in vitro, computational, and in vivo approaches, we found that the drug-binding kinetics of S-enantiomers of pyrovalerone analogs at DAT correlate with the time-course of in vivo psychostimulant action in mice. In particular, the slow dissociation (i.e., slow koff) of S-enantiomers of pyrovalerone analogs from DAT can predict their more persistent in vivo effects compared to cocaine and methylphenidate. Overall, our findings highlight the critical importance of drug-binding kinetics at DAT in determining the in vivo profile of effects produced by psychostimulant drugs.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Mariane O. B. Arrieiro, Luciano C. Arantes, Debora A. R. Moreira, Dilton M. Pimentel, Camila D. Lima, Livia M. F. Costa, Rodrigo M. Verly, Wallans T. P. dos Santos
Summary: This study presents the electrochemical detection of the synthetic cathinone eutylone for the first time. The electrochemical behavior of eutylone was investigated using glassy carbon and carbon graphite electrodes. The proposed method exhibited good stability and selectivity for eutylone detection in seized samples.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Ricardo Leal Cunha, Celinalva da Silva Lima Oliveira, Aline Lima de Oliveira, Adriano Otavio Maldaner, Silvio do Desterro Cunha, Pedro Afonso P. Pereira
Summary: The illicit market for synthetic drugs in the northeast region of Brazil, specifically in Bahia and Sergipe states, contains a diverse range of psychoactive substances, including amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances. Understanding the chemical composition and quantity of these substances is crucial for emergency care and forensic analysis. A study was conducted on drug samples seized by local police forces from 2014 to 2019, revealing the prevalence of amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances. Various substances were identified using GC-MS and 1D NMR techniques, including classical synthetic drugs and NPS.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Michal Ordak, Aleksandra Zmyslowska, Milosz Bielski, Daniel Rybak, Maja Tomaszewska, Katarzyna Wyszomierska, Aleksandra Kmiec, Natalia Garlicka, Maria Zalewska, Michal Zalewski, Tadeusz Nasierowski, Elzbieta Muszynska, Magdalena Bujalska-Zadrozny
Summary: This study reviewed 51 case reports of NPS use between 2010 and 2019, showing that most cases involved synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones. The primary pharmacotherapy used was benzodiazepines, with some patients also receiving neuroleptics and muscle relaxants.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Abdulaziz A. Aldubayyan, Erika Castrignano, Simon Elliott, Vincenzo Abbate
Summary: Understanding the stability of synthetic cathinones in biological samples is crucial for accurate interpretation of analytical results, as they are known to be unstable due to various degradation pathways. Factors such as experimental design, sample storage, and preservation conditions should be carefully considered to minimize degradation.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Toxicology
Jonathan Brett, Krista J. Siefried, Amy Healey, Mary Ellen Harrod, Erica Franklin, Monica J. Barratt, Jem Masters, Lynn Nguyen, Santosh Adiraju, Cobus Gerber
Summary: The study aimed to determine the range of psychoactive substances used during music festivals in New South Wales, Australia by analyzing wastewater and conducting self-report surveys. The results showed a variety of substances present, including amphetamine, cocaine, and ketamine, with some highly toxic substances like N-ethylpentylone detected. Adulteration or substitution may explain higher-than-expected detection frequencies for certain substances.
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Gerald Vorderwuelbecke, Sven Hartwig, Adelheid Kuhlmey
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GERONTOLOGIE UND GERIATRIE
(2020)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Maximilian Methling, Franziska Krumbiegel, Sven Hartwig
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Andre Niebel, Franziska Krumbiegel, Sven Hartwig, Maria Kristina Parr, Michael Tsokos
FORENSIC SCIENCE MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Fritz Pragst, Franziska Krumbiegel, Denise Thurmann, Lena Westendorf, Maximilian Methling, Andre Niebel, Sven Hartwig
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Claas Buschmann, Sven Hartwig, Michael Tsokos, Lars Oesterhelweg
FORENSIC SCIENCE MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY
(2020)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
David Steindl, Wolfgang Boehmerle, Roland Koerner, Damaris Praeger, Marcel Haug, Jens Nee, Adrian Schreiber, Franziska Scheibe, Katharina Demin, Philipp Jacoby, Rudolf Tauber, Sven Hartwig, Matthias Endres, Kai-Uwe Eckardt
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Andre Niebel, Lena Westendorf, Franziska Krumbiegel, Sven Hartwig, Maria Kristina Parr, Michael Tsokos
Summary: Hair samples from postmortem cases were reanalyzed from 2008 to 2020, revealing a 31.6% detection rate of NPS, with many cases testing positive for multiple NPS, indicating a growing trend of varied NPS use among young drug users.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Legal
K. Albrecht, M. Windgassen, S. Hartwig
Summary: This article outlines the chronological development of the annual conferences of the German Society of Legal Medicine (DGRM) from 1905 to 2021, presenting the medical and scientific aspects as well as specific problems of the subject within the context of respective political and social structures. The conference culture is also sketched in this comprehensive overview.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Fritz Pragst, Sven Hartwig
Summary: This article describes a case of poisoning with thallium that resulted in severe harm to the male victim. The perpetrator, his female life partner, was sentenced to imprisonment for her actions. The possibility of Munchausen by proxy syndrome as a motivation for the poisoning was discussed but ultimately dismissed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Sybille Peters, Sven Hartwig
PSYCHOTHERAPIE PSYCHOSOMATIK MEDIZINISCHE PSYCHOLOGIE
(2020)