Neuropharmacology of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Focus on the Rewarding and Reinforcing Properties of Cannabimimetics and Amphetamine-Like Stimulants
Cristina Miliano, Giovanni Serpelloni, Claudia Rimondo, Maddalena Mereu, Matteo Marti, Maria Antonietta De Luca
Frontiers in Neuroscience April 19, 2016 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00153 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction MDMA |
| Keywords | Synthetic cannabinoids Neuropharmacology Hallucinogen Phenethylamines Designer drug Mephedrone Methamphetamine |
| Citations | 195 |
| Key findings | JWH-018, a synthetic cannabinoid more potent than Δ(9)-THC, produces rewarding effects by increasing dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell, likely contributing to the greater incidence of dependence associated with 'Spice' use. |
Abstract
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are a heterogeneous and rapidly evolving class of molecules available on the global illicit drug market (e.g smart shops, internet, "dark net") as a substitute for controlled substances. The use of NPS, mainly consumed along with other drugs of abuse and/or alcohol, has resulted in a significantly growing number of mortality and emergency admissions for overdoses, as reported by several poison centers from all over the world. The fact that the number of NPS have more than doubled over the last 10 years, is a critical challenge to governments, the scientific community, and civil society [EMCDDA (European Drug Report), 2014; UNODC, 2014b; Trends and developments]. The chemical structure (phenethylamines, piperazines, cathinones, tryptamines, synthetic cannabinoids) of NPS and their pharmacological and clinical effects (hallucinogenic, anesthetic, dissociative, depressant) help classify them into different categories. In the recent past, 50% of newly identified NPS have been classified as synthetic cannabinoids followed by new phenethylamines (17%) (UNODC, 2014b). Besides peripheral toxicological effects, many NPS seem to have addictive properties. Behavioral, neurochemical, and electrophysiological evidence can help in detecting them. This manuscript will review existing literature about the addictive and rewarding properties of the most popular NPS classes: cannabimimetics (JWH, HU, CP series) and amphetamine-like stimulants (amphetamine, methamphetamine, methcathinone, and MDMA analogs). Moreover, the review will include recent data from our lab which links JWH-018, a CB1 and CB2 agonist more potent than Δ(9)-THC, to other cannabinoids with known abuse potential, and to other classes of abused drugs that increase dopamine signaling in the Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) shell. Thus the neurochemical mechanisms that produce the rewarding properties of JWH-018, which most likely contributes to the greater incidence of dependence associated with "Spice" use, will be described (De Luca et al., 2015a). Considering the growing evidence of a widespread use of NPS, this review will be useful to understand the new trends in the field of drug reward and drug addiction by revealing the rewarding properties of NPS, and will be helpful to gather reliable data regarding the abuse potential of these compounds.
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| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methamphetamine and MDMA (Ecstasy) Neurotoxicity: 'of Mice and Men' | 2004 | Review | |
| Use and abuse of dissociative and psychedelic drugs in adolescence Adolescent humans and preclinical animal models | 2021 | Review | |
| Can MDMA Play a Role in the Treatment of Substance Abuse? | 2013 | Review | |
| Neuroimaging in Human MDMA (Ecstasy) Users | 2008 | Review | |
| Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Navigating High Hopes, Strong Claims, Weak Evidence, and Big Money | 2024 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 31
- New/emerging psychoactive substances and associated psychopathological consequences Psychological Medicine July 22, 2019
- Lifestyle use of drugs by healthy people for enhancing cognition, creativity, motivation and pleasure British Journal of Pharmacology April 20, 2017
- Understanding the Mechanisms of Action and Effects of Drugs of Abuse. Molecules June 24, 2023
- Sex and Gender Differences in the Effects of Novel Psychoactive Substances. Brain Sciences September 3, 2020
- Synthetic Cannabinoids: Psychopharmacology, Clinical Aspects, Psychotic Onset CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets April 17, 2017
and 26 more in the library
Cites 44
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- Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 2011
- Novel psychoactive substances of interest for psychiatry World Psychiatry February 1, 2016
- The hallucinogenic world of tryptamines: an updated review. Archives of Toxicology August 1, 2015
- Recreational Use, Analysis and Toxicity of Tryptamines Current Neuropharmacology December 10, 2014
and 39 more in the library