There have been a number of news reports recently about people who display abnormal aggression while using "bath salts". The putative active ingredient in these preparations is mephedrone, a combination of methamphetamine and cathinone. While methamphetamine is neurotoxic to the terminal button of striatal neurons, a report in The Journal of Neurochemistry suggests that mephedrone lacks methamphetamine's impact in this model. Despite the similarities between mephedrone and methamphetamine, mephedrone does not produce methamphetamine's change in dopamine, dopamine transporter, or tyrosine hydroxylase.
Reference - Angoa-Perez et al. (2012). Mephedrone, an abused psychoactive component of 'bath salts' and methamphetamine congener, does not cause neurotoxicity to dopamine nerve endings of the striatum J Neurosci 120(6): 1097
This research forum is for researchers, educators, and students to discuss the various factors associated with methamphetamine research. From basic science research to social issues, we seek to provide a comprehensive view and discussion of meth. If you would like to join this research forum, please email Dr. Mark Davis at mdavis@uwa.edu.
Showing posts with label cathinone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cathinone. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
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