Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Discriminative-stimulus effects of second generation synthetic cathinones in methamphetamine-trained rats
Jennifer E Naylor1, Kevin B Freeman1, Bruce E Blough2
1Division of Neurobiology and Behavior Research, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, United States.
Background:
Synthetic cathinones are beta-ketophenethylamine analogs manufactured to avoid legal restrictions placed on illicit stimulants like methamphetamine. Regulating these "emerging" designer drugs require scientific evidence of abuse potential.
Methods:
The present study evaluated the discriminative-stimulus effects of three synthetic cathinones, recently identified in commercial and confiscated products, in male Sprague-Dawley rats trained to discriminate methamphetamine (1.0 mg/kg) from saline under a fixed-ratio (FR) 20 schedule of food delivery. Three synthetic cathinones, 4-methyl-N-ethylcathinone (4-MEC; 1.0-8.0 mg/kg), 4-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (4-MePPP; 4.0-16.0 mg/kg), and alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP; 0.25-2.0 mg/kg) were tested for their ability to substitute for methamphetamine.
Results:
Full substitution for the training dose of methamphetamine occurred at the highest doses for both 4-MePPP and alpha-PVP, and 4-MEC did not substitute at any dose tested.
Conclusions:
The present findings show that two synthetic cathinones, 4-MePPP and alpha-PVP, produced subjective effects similar to those of methamphetamine. The synthetic cathinone, 4-MEC, did not produce subjective effects similar to those of methamphetamine with the parameters used in the current experiment. Based on findings here and by others, these three compounds warrant further tests of abuse potential.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral...
01:24CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
01:22CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents
01:23Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
01:29Stimulants
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
01:28Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...