The MDPV Derivative α-PHP Regulates Cellular Differentiation and Triggers Apoptotic Cell Death and Ultrastructural Changes in Murine 3D Neurospheres
Molecules July 13, 2026 Fabrizio de Luca, Cinzia Brenna, M. Bassi et al.
The synthetic cathinone αPHP, a derivative of MDPV, induces dose-dependent neurotoxic effects in mouse neural stem/progenitor cells grown in 2D cultures and 3D neurospheres. Exposure to concentrations from 50 to 2000 μM alters cell morphology, disrupts neuronal and glial differentiation, activates apoptotic cell death pathways, and causes ultrastructural changes. These findings suggest that αPHP is neurotoxic and neuromodulatory, contributing to understanding the mechanisms behind psychiatric and neurological outcomes from synthetic cathinones.