A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones-Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse

doi:10.1002/hup.2866

Review

. 2023 May;38(3):e2866.

doi: 10.1002/hup.2866. Epub 2023 Mar 3.

A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones-Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse

Patryk Kuropka¹, Marcin Zawadzki^{1

2}, Paweł Szpot^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Toxicology Research, Borowa, Poland.
² Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

PMID: 36866677
DOI: 10.1002/hup.2866

Review

A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones-Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse

Patryk Kuropka et al. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2023 May.

. 2023 May;38(3):e2866.

doi: 10.1002/hup.2866. Epub 2023 Mar 3.

Authors

Patryk Kuropka¹, Marcin Zawadzki^{1

2}, Paweł Szpot^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Toxicology Research, Borowa, Poland.
² Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.

PMID: 36866677
DOI: 10.1002/hup.2866

Abstract

Objective: To review the literature on the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was carried out across multiple databases (mainly PubMed, World Wide Web, and Google Scholar) using relevant keywords.

Results: Cathinones exhibit a broad toxicological profile, mimicking the effects of a wide variety of 'classic drugs' such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methamphetamine and cocaine. Even small structural changes affect their interactions with key proteins. This article reviews existing knowledge of the mechanisms of action of cathinones at the molecular level, and key findings from research on their structure-activity relationship. The cathinones are also classified according to their chemical structure and neuropharmacological profiles.

Conclusions: Synthetic cathinones represent one of the most numerous and widespread groups among new psychoactive substances. Initially developed for therapeutic purposes, they quickly started to be used recreationally. With a rapidly increasing number of new agents entering the market, structure-activity relationship studies are valuable for assessing and predicting the addictive potential and toxicity of new and potential future substances. The neuropharmacological properties of synthetic cathinones are still not fully understood. A full elucidation of the role of some key proteins, including organic cation transporters, requires detailed studies.

Keywords: NPS; SAR; monoamine transporters; neuropharmacology; organic cation transporters; synthetic cathinones.

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References

REFERENCES

1. Allen, S. A., Tran, L. H., Oakes, H. v., Brown, R. W., & Pond, B. B. (2019). Dopaminergic effects of major bath salt constituents 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone are enhanced following co-exposure. Neurotoxicity Research, 36(1), 132-143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12640-019-00020-2
1. Amara, S. G., & Sonders, M. S. (1998). Neurotransmitter transporters as molecular targets for addictive drugs. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 51(1-2), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-8716(98)00068-4
1. Angenoorth, T. J. F., Stankovic, S., Niello, M., Holy, M., Brandt, S. D., Sitte, H. H., & Maier, J. (2021). Interaction profiles of central nervous system active drugs at human organic cation transporters 1-3 and human plasma membrane monoamine transporter. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(23), 12995. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312995
1. Assi, S., Gulyamova, N., Kneller, P., & Osselton, D. (2017). The effects and toxicity of cathinones from the users’ perspectives: A qualitative study. Human Psychopharmacology, 32(3), e2610. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2610
1. Baumann, M. H., Partilla, J. S., Lehner, K. R., Thorndike, E. B., Hoffman, A. F., Holy, M., Rothman, R. B., Goldberg, S. R., Lupica, C. R., Sitte, H. H., Brandt, S. D., Tella, S. R., Cozzi, N. v., & Schindler, C. W. (2013). Powerful cocaine-like actions of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a principal constituent of psychoactive “bath salts” products. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(4), 552-562. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2012.204

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[1] Allen, S. A., Tran, L. H., Oakes, H. v., Brown, R. W., & Pond, B. B. (2019). Dopaminergic effects of major bath salt constituents 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone are enhanced following co-exposure. Neurotoxicity Research, 36(1), 132-143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12640-019-00020-2

[2] Allen, S. A., Tran, L. H., Oakes, H. v., Brown, R. W., & Pond, B. B. (2019). Dopaminergic effects of major bath salt constituents 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone are enhanced following co-exposure. Neurotoxicity Research, 36(1), 132-143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12640-019-00020-2

[3] Amara, S. G., & Sonders, M. S. (1998). Neurotransmitter transporters as molecular targets for addictive drugs. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 51(1-2), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-8716(98)00068-4

[4] Amara, S. G., & Sonders, M. S. (1998). Neurotransmitter transporters as molecular targets for addictive drugs. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 51(1-2), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0376-8716(98)00068-4

[5] Angenoorth, T. J. F., Stankovic, S., Niello, M., Holy, M., Brandt, S. D., Sitte, H. H., & Maier, J. (2021). Interaction profiles of central nervous system active drugs at human organic cation transporters 1-3 and human plasma membrane monoamine transporter. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(23), 12995. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312995

[6] Angenoorth, T. J. F., Stankovic, S., Niello, M., Holy, M., Brandt, S. D., Sitte, H. H., & Maier, J. (2021). Interaction profiles of central nervous system active drugs at human organic cation transporters 1-3 and human plasma membrane monoamine transporter. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(23), 12995. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222312995

[7] Assi, S., Gulyamova, N., Kneller, P., & Osselton, D. (2017). The effects and toxicity of cathinones from the users’ perspectives: A qualitative study. Human Psychopharmacology, 32(3), e2610. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2610

[8] Assi, S., Gulyamova, N., Kneller, P., & Osselton, D. (2017). The effects and toxicity of cathinones from the users’ perspectives: A qualitative study. Human Psychopharmacology, 32(3), e2610. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2610

[9] Baumann, M. H., Partilla, J. S., Lehner, K. R., Thorndike, E. B., Hoffman, A. F., Holy, M., Rothman, R. B., Goldberg, S. R., Lupica, C. R., Sitte, H. H., Brandt, S. D., Tella, S. R., Cozzi, N. v., & Schindler, C. W. (2013). Powerful cocaine-like actions of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a principal constituent of psychoactive “bath salts” products. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(4), 552-562. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2012.204

[10] Baumann, M. H., Partilla, J. S., Lehner, K. R., Thorndike, E. B., Hoffman, A. F., Holy, M., Rothman, R. B., Goldberg, S. R., Lupica, C. R., Sitte, H. H., Brandt, S. D., Tella, S. R., Cozzi, N. v., & Schindler, C. W. (2013). Powerful cocaine-like actions of 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), a principal constituent of psychoactive “bath salts” products. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(4), 552-562. https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2012.204

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A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones-Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse

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A narrative review of the neuropharmacology of synthetic cathinones-Popular alternatives to classical drugs of abuse

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