Substitutional potential of mephedrone: an analysis of the subjective effects

Kapitány-Fövény, Máté; Kertész, Máté; Winstock, Adam; Deluca, Paolo; Corazza, Ornella; Farkas, Judit; Zacher, Gábor; Urbán, Róbert; Demetrovics, Zsolt

doi:10.1002/hup.2297

Cited by 86 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…For example, only 28.9% of 4MMC users reported that subjective effects of 4MMC and cocaine were “very similar” or “nearly the same,” whereas 36% reported that 4MMC and cocaine effects were only “somewhat similar” or “not similar at all” (Kapitány-Fövény et al, 2013). Furthermore, of 4MMC users who also previously used 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and cocaine, twice as many users responded that 4MMC effects were more comparable to MDMA than cocaine (Carhart-Harris et al, 2011).…”

Section: Effects Of a 4-methyl Substituentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, methcathinone and their 3,4-methylenedioxy or 4-methyl analogs in rhesus monkeys

et al. 2016

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Synthetic cathinones are beta-ketone amphetamine analogs that have emerged as a heterogeneous class of abused compounds that function as either monoamine transporter substrates or inhibitors. Preclinical drug discrimination procedures are useful for interrogating structure-activity relationships (SAR) of abuse-related drug effects; however, in vivo SAR comparisons between synthetic cathinones with different mechanisms of action are lacking. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of the monoamine transporter inhibitor alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (alpha-PVP) and the monoamine transporter substrate methcathinone were differentially sensitive to 3,4-methylenedioxy and 4-methyl substitutions. Male rhesus monkeys (n=4) were trained to discriminate intramuscular cocaine (0.32 mg/kg) from saline in a two-key food-reinforced discrimination procedure. Potency and timecourse of cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects were determined for (±)-alpha-PVP, (±)-methcathinone, and their 3,4-methylenedioxy or 4-methyl analogs. Alpha-PVP and methcathinone produced dose- and time-dependent cocaine-like effects. A 3,4-methylenedioxy addition to either alpha-PVP (MDPV) or methcathinone (MDMC; methylone) did not alter the potency or efficacy to produce cocaine-like effects, but did prolong the time course. A 4-methyl addition to alpha-PVP (4MPVP; pyrovalerone) did not alter the potency or efficacy to produce cocaine-like effects, but did prolong the time course. In contrast, addition of a 4-methyl moiety to methcathinone (4MMC; mephedrone) significantly attenuated efficacy to produce cocaine-like effects. Overall, these results suggest different structural requirements for cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of monoamine transporter inhibitor and substrate synthetic cathinone analogs. Given that 4MMC is more hydrophobic than MDMC, these results suggest hydrophobicity may be an important determinant for limiting monoamine transporter substrate abuse-related behavioral effects.

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Section: Effects Of a 4-methyl Substituentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, methcathinone and their 3,4-methylenedioxy or 4-methyl analogs in rhesus monkeys

et al. 2016

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“…Synthetic cathinones (a.k.a. : “bath salts”) are of particular concern because some drugs in this class (e.g., mephedrone, methylone) have served as replacements for ecstasy (Carhart-Harris et al, 2011; Kapitány-Fövény et al, 2013). While effects of some synthetic cathinones are reportedly similar to effects of ecstasy or other stimulants (Brunt et al, 2011; Carhart-Harris et al, 2011), use has been associated with many adverse health outcomes (Miotto et al, 2013; Zawilska and Wojcieszak, 2013; Zawilska and Andrzejczak, 2015), including over 20,000 ED visits in the US in 2011 (SAMHSA, 2013b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of “bath salts” and other novel psychoactive substances in hair samples of ecstasy/MDMA/“Molly” users

Palamar

Salomone²,

Vincenti

et al. 2016

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

116

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Background Ecstasy (MDMA) in the US is commonly adulterated with other drugs, but research has not focused on purity of ecstasy since the phenomenon of “Molly” (ecstasy marketed as pure MDMA) arose in the US. Methods We piloted a rapid electronic survey in 2015 to assess use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) and other drugs among 679 nightclub/festival-attending young adults (age 18–25) in New York City. A quarter (26.1%) of the sample provided a hair sample to be analyzed for the presence of select synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”) and some other NPS. Samples were analyzed using fully validated UHPLC-MS/MS methods. To examine consistency of self-report, analyses focused on the 48 participants with an analyzable hair sample who reported lifetime ecstasy/MDMA/Molly use. Results Half (50.0%) of the hair samples contained MDMA, 47.9% contained butylone, and 10.4% contained methylone. Of those who reported no lifetime use of “bath salts”, stimulant NPS, or unknown pills or powders, about four out of ten (41.2%) tested positive for butylone, methylone, alpha-PVP, 5/6-APB, or 4-FA. Racial minorities were more likely to test positive for butylone or test positive for NPS after reporting no lifetime use. Frequent nightclub/festival attendance was the strongest predictor of testing positive for MDMA, butylone, or methylone. Discussion Results suggest that many ecstasy-using nightclub/festival attendees may be unintentionally using “bath salts” or other NPS. Prevention and harm reduction education is needed for this population and “drug checking” (e.g., pill testing) may be beneficial for those rejecting abstinence.

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“…As impulsivity -and especially sensation seeking -usually rise during adolescence [36], for this age group it is thought to be more relevant to focus on the immediate and short-term consequences of substance use, not only on the long-term risks of recurrent psychoactive substance consumption. All the presented somatic and psychological effects are based on the findings of former studies [37][38][39][40]. These effects are indicated by the red dots located on a picture of a schematic body with the option to touch a dote on the screen (see Figure 4) and so access detailed description of the effects.…”

Section: Trans-formation: Somatic and Psychological Effects Of Pychoamentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of an Interactive Drug Prevention Mobile Phone App (Once Upon a High): Questionnaire Study Among Students (Preprint)

Kapitány-Fövény¹,

Vagdalt²,

Ruttkay³

et al. 2018

Preprint

Self Cite

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BACKGROUND:In recent years, drug prevention networks and drug education programs started to utilize web-based or smartphone applications as novel prevention tools, testing their efficacy as compared to face-to-face prevention. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to assess potentials of an interactive application called Once Upon a High (VoltEgySzer). METHODS: Students of two vocational and two high schools filled in a questionnaire at a baseline (T0) and a two month follow-up (T1) data collection session. Students of one vocational (VS1) and one high school (HS1) downloaded the Once Upon a High app (app group), whereas students from the other vocational (VS2) and high school (HS2) did not (nonapp group). T0 and T1 questionnaires contained demographic variables, items regarding substance use characteristics with regard to both legal and illegal substances, including novel psychoactive substances (NPS), exercise habits, knowledge about psychoactive substances, attitudes toward substance users and validated instruments measuring the severity of tobacco (Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence), alcohol (AUDIT), cannabis (CAST) and synthetic cannabinoid (sCAST) consumption. Beliefs about substance use (BASA) and perceived self-efficacy (GSE) were also measured. At T1, members of the app group provided additional evaluation of the application. RESULTS: 386 students participated in T0 session and followed by a drop-out, 246 students took part in T1 data collection procedure. Alcohol was the most frequently consumed psychoactive substance (92.1% lifetime use), followed by tobacco (68% lifetime use) and cannabis (13.2% lifetime use). Synthetic cannabinoids were the most commonly used NPS (7.2%). Decreased self-efficacy (Beta= -0.29, p<0.05) and increased daily physical exercise frequencies (Beta= 0.04, p<0.001) predicted higher frequencies of past month energy drink consumption, whereas elevated past month alcohol consumption was mainly predicted by a decrease in negative attitudes toward substance users (Beta= -0.13, p<0.05). Once Upon a High was found to be effective in increasing a) knowledge about the risks of psychoactive substances and b) perceived self-efficacy but not in reducing substance use. The roleplay module of the application was found to be the most preferred and beneficial aspect of the app. CONCLUSIONS: Once Upon a High app can be a useful tool to assist preventive intervention programs by increasing knowledge and self-efficacy, however, its efficacy in reducing or preventing substance use needs to be improved and further studied. Additional potentials of the app need testing.

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Substitutional potential of mephedrone: an analysis of the subjective effects

Abstract: By having similar subjective effects as MDMA and other entactogens, mephedrone seems able to substitute other enactogenic stimulants.

Cited by 86 publications

References 30 publications

Cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, methcathinone and their 3,4-methylenedioxy or 4-methyl analogs in rhesus monkeys

Cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, methcathinone and their 3,4-methylenedioxy or 4-methyl analogs in rhesus monkeys

Detection of “bath salts” and other novel psychoactive substances in hair samples of ecstasy/MDMA/“Molly” users

Potential of an Interactive Drug Prevention Mobile Phone App (Once Upon a High): Questionnaire Study Among Students (Preprint)

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