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)
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
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)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aniela Golub, Michal Ordak, Tadeusz Nasierowski, Magdalena Bujalska-Zadrozny
Summary: The effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in patients abusing new psychoactive substances (NPSs) is enhanced by proper liver function. However, current articles on NPS hepatotoxicity only focus on non-specific liver parameters. This study reviews three advanced markers of hepatotoxicity, osteopontin (OPN), high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), and glutathione dehydrogenase (GDH/ GLDH), to identify recommendations for future studies on NPS abusers. Determining the hepatotoxic effects of NPSs and distinguishing them from other factors such as additional substances and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is crucial, particularly due to the heightened risk of HCV infection in NPS abusers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
D. Martins, E. M. P. J. Garrido, F. Borges, J. M. P. J. Garrido
Summary: The emergence of a large number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) poses a significant risk to public health and a challenge to drug control systems. The development of electrochemical sensing technology has provided fast, portable, sensitive, and low-cost detection alternatives for illicit drugs. The study found that the presence of aromatic amines plays a crucial role in the oxidative profile of certain piperazine designer drugs, while benzylamine in others causes different reaction behaviors.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yuqing Yang, Dongping Liu, Zhendong Hua, Peng Xu, Youmei Wang, Bin Di, Jun Liao, Mengxiang Su
Summary: New psychoactive substances (NPS) have become a global problem due to their diversity, legal ambiguity, and ability to adapt to legal restrictions. We propose using supervised machine learning models to rapidly screen NPS using mass spectrometry data. These models achieved F1 scores of 0.35-0.97 and successfully detected synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, and fentanyl in drug trafficking cases.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2023)
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
Chemistry, Analytical
Jiajia Li, Yong Wang, Anran Liu, Songqin Liu
Summary: A highly sensitive, rapid and highly selective method for the detection of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in human serum was developed. Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanocomposites were prepared through self-polymerization of dopamine and template molecules. With these magnetic MIP nanoparticles, six SCs could be rapidly and effectively extracted from human blood and their concentrations accurately determined by HPLC-MS analysis. The proposed method is characterized by high sensitivity and selectivity, and has great potential for application in practical sample analysis.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Stefania Porcu, Enrica Tuveri, Marco Palanca, Claudia Melis, Ignazio Macellaro La Franca, Jessica Satta, Daniele Chiriu, Carlo Maria Carbonaro, Pierluigi Cortis, Antonio De Agostini, Pier Carlo Ricci
Summary: Finding a fast and effective technique for real-time detection of THC and CBD in cannabis is a pressing issue in the field of forensics. Raman spectroscopy, with its cost-effective, fast, noninvasive, and nondestructive properties, is identified as the most suitable method. This study utilized Raman spectroscopy with 1064 nm excitation wavelength to analyze 42 different samples. The results demonstrated the high reproducibility of spectra and the ability to immediately distinguish between THC and CBD through Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the ratio between Raman bands at 1295/1440 and 1623/1663 cm(-1) was identified as an immediate test parameter for evaluating THC content in the samples.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Caroline Zangani, Edoardo Giuseppe Ostinelli, Barbara Giordano, Armando D'Agostino, Giovanni Martinotti, Massimo Clerici, Orsola Gambini, Fabrizio Schifano
Summary: This study in Italy identified that male gender, homosexual sexual orientation, use of emergency services due to alcohol, and previous contact with mental health services are risk factors for lifetime use of NPS. Improving preventive strategies and providing simplified access to information on NPS, especially for individuals at higher risk of misuse, could help slow down the spread of NPS and prevent substance use consequences.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION
(2021)
Review
Medical Laboratory Technology
Lea Wagmann, Cathy M. Jacobs, Markus R. Meyer
Summary: This review discusses the methods for detecting new psychoactive substances (NPSs) using mass spectrometry and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of using common biological matrices for screening in a clinical toxicology setting. The results show that blood and urine are the most commonly used biological matrices, but other options are also available.
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fabrizio Schifano, Stefania Chiappini, John M. Corkery, Norbert Scherbaum, Amira Guirguis
Summary: The focus is on discussing the pharmacological and clinical pharmacological issues related to a wide range of drugs by Internet-based enthusiasts of new psychoactive substances. Ongoing studies aim to provide important findings on receptor affinities and clinical potency of these novel recreational molecules for predicting NPS diffusion, morbidity, and potential lethality.
CURRENT OPINION IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ju-Yu Chen, Guan-Yuan Chen, San-Yuan Wang, Cheng-Chung Fang, Lian-Yu Chen, Te- Weng
Summary: Analyzing emerging new psychoactive substances presents a significant risk to public health, highlighting the importance of developing specific analytical methods for these substances. This study refined a novel workflow using in-house tools to develop an MRM-based method, effectively identifying unique and selective MRM transitions, which was successfully applied to urine sample analysis, providing a new approach for method development in analyzing complex samples.
Review
Biology
Alfredo Fabrizio Lo Faro, Diletta Berardinelli, Tommaso Cassano, Gregory Dendramis, Eva Montanari, Angelo Montana, Paolo Berretta, Simona Zaami, Francesco Paolo Busardo, Marilyn Ann Huestis
Summary: We conducted a comprehensive literature review on intoxications and fatalities related to New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to changes in drug consumption patterns, with some drugs being consumed less and an increase in the use of NPS. Synthetic opioids, synthetic cannabinoids, and synthetic cathinones were the most commonly abused NPS classes, and the combined consumption of several NPS classes accounted for 30% of all cases. It is important to consider that the reported cases may be an underestimate due to the impact of the pandemic on forensic toxicology capabilities.
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)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jose Luiz Costa, Kelly Francisco Cunha, Rafael Lanaro, Ricardo Leal Cunha, Donna Walther, Michael H. Baumann
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Brenda M. Gannon, Michael H. Baumann, Donna Walther, Cristian Jimenez-Morigosa, Agnieszka Sulima, Kenner C. Rice, Gregory T. Collins
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Donna Walther, Abdelrahman R. Shalabi, Michael H. Baumann, Richard A. Glennon
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Kusumika Saha, Yang Li, Marion Holy, Kurt R. Lehner, Mohammad O. Bukhari, John S. Partilla, Walter Sandtner, Harald H. Sitte, Michael H. Baumann
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Bruce E. Blough, Ann M. Decker, Antonio Landavazo, Ojas A. Namjoshi, John S. Partilla, Michael H. Baumann, Richard B. Rothman
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Charles W. Schindler, Eric B. Thorndike, Kenner C. Rice, John S. Partilla, Michael H. Baumann
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Adam L. Halberstadt, Simon D. Brandt, Donna Walther, Michael H. Baumann
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dino Luethi, Karolina E. Kolaczynska, Melanie Walter, Masaki Suzuki, Kenner C. Rice, Bruce E. Blough, Marius C. Hoener, Michael H. Baumann, Matthias E. Liechti
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Marianne Skov-Skov Bergh, Inger Lise Bogen, Nancy Garibay, Michael H. Baumann
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chloe J. Jordan, Bree A. Humburg, Eric B. Thorndike, Anver Basha Shaik, Zheng-Xiong Xi, Michael H. Baumann, Amy Hauck Newman, Charles W. Schindler
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2019)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Simon D. Brandt, Laura Carlino, Pierce Kavanagh, Folker Westphal, Wolfgang Dreiseitel, Geraldine Dowling, Michael H. Baumann, Harald H. Sitte, Adam L. Halberstadt
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2020)
Article
Neurosciences
Simon D. Brandt, Hailey M. Walters, John S. Partilla, Bruce E. Blough, Pierce V. Kavanagh, Michael H. Baumann
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Grant C. Glatfelter, Duyen N. K. Pham, Donna Walther, James A. Golen, Andrew R. Chadeayne, Michael H. Baumann, David R. Manke
Summary: This study reported the synthesis, structural characterization, and pharmacological activity of several quaternary tryptammonium analogues. The results showed that these analogues do not target 5-HT2A sites but may have affinity for the serotonin transporter (SERT), providing potential templates for exploring selective actions at SERT.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Grant C. Glatfelter, Marilyn Naeem, Duyen N. K. Pham, James A. Golen, Andrew R. Chadeayne, David R. Manke, Michael H. Baumann
Summary: Analogues of psilocybin are being sold and developed as potential medications for psychedelic-assisted therapies. These analogues produce psychedelic-like effects primarily by agonist activity at serotonin 2A receptors. The present study examines the targeted receptors and the effects of a specific psilocybin analogue, 4-propionoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, in mice.
ACS PHARMACOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Michael H. Baumann, Gavril W. Pasternak, Sidney S. Negus
