Designer psychostimulants: pharmacology and differences.
Leslie Iversen1, Michael White2, Ric Treble3
1Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, OX1 3QT, UK.
Neuropharmacology
|January 25, 2014
Summary
Novel psychoactive drugs, particularly designer psychostimulants, mimic amphetamines and cocaine. These substances activate brain monoamine systems, with some showing potential for dependence liability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Medicinal Chemistry
Background:
- Over 200 novel psychoactive drugs (NPS) reported in Europe, with rapid emergence of new compounds.
- Many NPS are designer psychostimulants aiming to replicate effects of amphetamines, cocaine, or MDMA.
- Emerging NPS include substituted cathinones, aminoindanes, aminotetralins, piperazines, amphetamine analogues, and pipradrol derivatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review scientific studies on the pharmacology of novel psychostimulants published between 2011-2013.
- To analyze the mechanisms of action and potential for abuse of emerging designer drugs.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on novel psychostimulants.
- Analysis of drug discrimination tests in rats.
- Evaluation of conditioned place preference and self-administration behavior.
Main Results:
- Novel psychostimulants activate brain monoamine systems (dopamine and/or serotonin) with varying preferences.
- Dopamine-preferring stimulants include naphyrone, MDPV, and benzylpiperazine (amphetamine-like).
- Serotonin-preferring stimulants include mephedrone, methylone, substituted cathinones, aminoindanes, aminotetralins, and piperazines (MDMA/cocaine-like).
Conclusions:
- Novel psychostimulants exhibit diverse pharmacological profiles, primarily targeting monoamine neurotransmission.
- Drugs like mephedrone demonstrate abuse potential, indicated by substitution in drug discrimination and induction of reward-related behaviors.
- Understanding the neuropharmacology of these substances is crucial for public health and harm reduction strategies.
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