Synthetic Cathinones and Their Rewarding and Reinforcing Effects in Rodents
Joint Authors
Watterson, Lucas R.
Olive, M. Foster
Source
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-9, 9 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-06-04
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
9
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Synthetic cathinones, colloquially referred to as “bath salts,” are derivatives of the psychoactive alkaloid cathinone found in Catha edulis (Khat).
Since the mid-to-late 2000s, these amphetamine-like psychostimulants have gained popularity amongst drug users due to their potency, low cost, ease of procurement, and constantly evolving chemical structures.
Concomitant with their increased use is the emergence of a growing collection of case reports of bizarre and dangerous behaviors, toxicity to numerous organ systems, and death.
However, scientific information regarding the abuse liability of these drugs has been relatively slower to materialize.
Recently we have published several studies demonstrating that laboratory rodents will readily self-administer the “first generation” synthetic cathinones methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and methylone via the intravenous route, in patterns similar to those of methamphetamine.
Under progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement, the rank order of reinforcing efficacy of these compounds is MDPV ≥ methamphetamine > methylone.
MDPV and methylone, as well as the “second generation” synthetic cathinones α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) and 4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC), also dose-dependently increase brain reward function.
Collectively, these findings indicate that synthetic cathinones have a high abuse and addiction potential and underscore the need for future assessment of the extent and duration of neurotoxicity induced by these emerging drugs of abuse.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Watterson, Lucas R.& Olive, M. Foster. 2014. Synthetic Cathinones and Their Rewarding and Reinforcing Effects in Rodents. Advances in Neuroscience،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-454801
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Watterson, Lucas R.& Olive, M. Foster. Synthetic Cathinones and Their Rewarding and Reinforcing Effects in Rodents. Advances in Neuroscience No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-454801
American Medical Association (AMA)
Watterson, Lucas R.& Olive, M. Foster. Synthetic Cathinones and Their Rewarding and Reinforcing Effects in Rodents. Advances in Neuroscience. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-454801
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-454801