Article
Medicine, Legal
Jozsef Haller, Eva Rompos, Irisz Szabo, Viktoria Humli, Laszlo Christian
Summary: A comprehensive study was conducted on the marketing of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones in Hungary over ten years. Two different strategies for marketing NPS were identified: exponential increase in seizure counts followed by rapid decline after banning for synthetic cannabinoids, and trading intensity not associated with local regulations for cathinones. These findings have important implications for analyzing and predicting market events.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ritu A. Shetty, Adam C. Hoch, Nathalie Sumien, Michael J. Forster, Michael B. Gatch
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the behavioral pharmacology of four synthetic cathinones. It was found that 3,4-MD-alpha-PHP, alpha-PiHP, and 4-Cl-alpha-PPP have a potential for abuse similar to that of methamphetamine and cocaine, while 4-Cl-pentedrone may not be popular for recreational use due to its convulsant effects.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael B. Gatch, Ritu A. Shetty, Nathalie Sumien, Michael J. Forster
Summary: The novel cathinone compounds Dipentylone, N-ethylhexedrone, 4-CEC, and MPHP exhibit stimulant effects by increasing locomotor activity and substituting for the discriminative stimulus effects of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Review
Toxicology
Jorge Soares, Vera Marisa Costa, Maria de Lourdes Bastos, Felix Carvalho, Joao Paulo Capela
Summary: Synthetic cathinones, derivatives of naturally occurring cathinone, have become increasingly popular in the recreational drug market since the late 2000s, posing risks to public health. Studies revealing the pharmacological and toxicological properties of synthetic cathinones are crucial for providing expertise to clinicians facing this issue.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alison G. P. Wakeford, Alexander M. Sherwood, Thomas E. Prisinzano, Jack Bergman, Stephen J. Kohut, Carol A. Paronis
Summary: The study systematically evaluated the discriminative stimulus effects of 5 abused synthetic cathinones in nonhuman primates, suggesting that their differences in monoaminergic actions may mediate their subjective effects in humans.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Sofia Almeida, Barbara Silva, Paula Guedes de Pinho, Fernando Remiao, Carla Fernandes
Summary: New psychoactive substances, such as synthetic cathinones, pose a public health threat as they are easily accessible online and often sold as legal alternatives to illicit drugs. Synthetic cathinones are widely abused due to their stimulating and hallucinogenic effects. However, their chemical and toxicological properties remain unknown, as new derivatives continue to emerge on the drug market. This review focuses on the recent developments in synthetic cathinones, including over 50 derivatives since 2014, and highlights the importance of enantioselectivity studies and enantioseparation analysis in understanding their biological and toxicological activities.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tatiana Shishkanova, Eva Pospisilova, Vadim Prokopec
Summary: This work demonstrates the analytical applicability of single ion-selective membranes and potentiometric sensor array in distinguishing and detecting cathinone derivatives. The combination of PCA and ISMs allowed effective discrimination of various synthetic cathinones and their recognition from a mixture. The ISM containing 1wt% calix[4]arene derivative showed sufficient analytical parameters to detect cathinones in both model and saliva samples.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Robert W. Seaman, Michelle R. Doyle, Agnieszka Sulima, Kenner C. Rice, Gregory T. Collins
Summary: The study found that synthetic cathinones, like MDPV, and cocaine have similar pharmacological effects, primarily acting by inhibiting dopamine and norepinephrine to produce stimulant effects, with minimal involvement of serotonin.
BEHAVIOURAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Nunzia La Maida, Annagiulia Di Trana, Raffaele Giorgetti, Adriano Tagliabracci, Francesco P. Busardo, Marilyn A. Huestis
Summary: Synthetic cathinones have been increasingly popular since 2003 and have become the most seized class of new psychoactive substances reported to the UNODC. Recent studies on SC-related fatalities globally have highlighted new consumption trends and symptoms. Analytical methods and mass spectrometry instruments play a crucial role in detecting the low concentrations of these potent new SCs.
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dalal AlKhelb, Emily L. Burke, Alexander Zvonok, Christos Iliopoulos-Tsoutsouvas, Markos-Orestis Georgiadis, Shan Jiang, Thanh C. Ho, Spyros P. Nikas, Alexandros Makriyannis, Rajeev I. Desai
Summary: This study aimed to compare the behavioral effects of different cannabinoid (CB) ligands using drug discrimination methods. The results showed that AM411 and AM4089 exhibit better pharmacological profiles compared to A9-THC, including higher potency and in vivo partial agonist-like actions mediated via CB1 receptors.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vittorio Bolcato, Claudia Carelli, Alessandra Radogna, Francesca Freni, Matteo Moretti, Luca Morini
Summary: The analysis of psychoactive substances in hair is crucial for clinical and forensic toxicologists to assess past and continuous exposure to xenobiotics. The study reviewed 32 articles and found that acidic solvents are the most reliable solutions for extraction, and both gas chromatography and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric systems are commonly used for analysis. Maintaining sensitivity at the pg/mg level is essential for detecting occasional consumption.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Ju-Yu Chen, Guan-Yuan Chen, Hooi-Nee Ong, Mei-Ling Lai, Yi-Ju Ho, Ching-Hua Kuo, Te- Weng
Summary: This study found that blood collection tubes have a significant impact on the recoveries of synthetic cathinones, especially serum separating tubes and gel-containing tubes. However, in real-world scenarios, nonideal collection methods are inevitably employed, so it is important to rigorously interpret forensic toxicological results, especially for susceptible species.
CLINICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
H-H Chou, C-H Hsieh, C-H Chaou, C-K Chen, T-H Yen, S-C Liao, C-J Seak, H-Y Chen
Summary: Synthetic cathinone abuse through toxic coffee packets has become a growing concern in Taiwan, with common symptoms including palpitation, agitation, hallucination, and altered consciousness. Most affected patients are male, and common complications include tachycardia, hypertension, and rhabdomyolysis.
HUMAN & EXPERIMENTAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cristian Suarez-Oubina, Pamela Cabarcos-Fernandez, Maria Jesus Tabernero-Duque, Pilar Bermejo-Barrera, Antonio Moreda-Pineiro, Ana Maria Bermejo-Barrera
Summary: Using ultrasounds, the extraction time for membrane-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) in isolating synthetic cathinones from urine has been shortened to 30 minutes. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for the separation and determination of eleven synthetic cathinones. The developed method showed efficient extraction and pre-concentration of synthetic cathinones with LogP values higher than 2.0.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gloria Daziani, Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro, Vincenzo Montana, Gaia Goteri, Mauro Pesaresi, Giulia Bambagiotti, Eva Montanari, Raffaele Giorgetti, Angelo Montana
Summary: According to the EU Early Warning System (EWS), synthetic cathinones (SCs) are the second largest class of new psychoactive substances (NPS), with 162 types being monitored. They have a structure similar to cathinone, found in Catha Edulis, and exhibit stimulant effects similar to amphetamines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)