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2. THC and CBD: Villain versus Hero? Insights into Adolescent Exposure

Author

Pintori, Nicholas, Caria, Francesca, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Miliano, Cristina, Pintori, Nicholas, Caria, Francesca, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, and Miliano, Cristina

Abstract

Cannabis is the most used drug of abuse worldwide. It is well established that the most abundant phytocannabinoids in this plant are Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These two compounds have remarkably similar chemical structures yet vastly different effects in the brain. By binding to the same receptors, THC is psychoactive, while CBD has anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties. Lately, a variety of hemp-based products, including CBD and THC, have become widely available in the food and health industry, and medical and recreational use of cannabis has been legalized in many states/countries. As a result, people, including youths, are consuming CBD because it is considered “safe”. An extensive literature exists evaluating the harmful effects of THC in both adults and adolescents, but little is known about the long-term effects of CBD exposure, especially in adolescence. The aim of this review is to collect preclinical and clinical evidence about the effects of cannabidiol.

Published
2023

5. Needle-Free Jet Injectors and Nanosuspensions: Exploring the Potential of an Unexpected Pair

Author

Schlich, Michele, primary, Casula, Luca, additional, Musa, Aurora, additional, Pireddu, Rosa, additional, Pitzanti, Giulia, additional, Cardia, Maria Cristina, additional, Valenti, Donatella, additional, Marceddu, Salvatore, additional, Fadda, Anna Maria, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Sinico, Chiara, additional, and Lai, Francesco, additional

Published
2022
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6. Repeated exposure to JWH-018 induces adaptive changes in the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopaminergic pathways, glial cells alterations, and behavioural correlates

Author

Pintori, Nicholas, Castelli, Maria Paola, Miliano, Cristina, Simola, Nicola, Fadda, Paola, Fattore, Liana, Scherma, Maria, Ennas, Maria Grazia, Mostallino, Rafaela, Flore, Giovanna, De Felice, Marta, Sagheddu, Claudia, Pistis, Marco, Di Chiara, Gaetano, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Pintori, Nicholas, Castelli, Maria Paola, Miliano, Cristina, Simola, Nicola, Fadda, Paola, Fattore, Liana, Scherma, Maria, Ennas, Maria Grazia, Mostallino, Rafaela, Flore, Giovanna, De Felice, Marta, Sagheddu, Claudia, Pistis, Marco, Di Chiara, Gaetano, and De Luca, Maria Antonietta

Abstract

Background and Purpose Spice/K2 herbal mixtures, containing synthetic cannabinoids such as JWH-018, have been marketed as marijuana surrogates since 2004. JWH-018 has cannabinoid CB1 receptor-dependent reinforcing properties and acutely increases dopaminergic transmission selectively in the NAc shell. Here, we tested the hypothesis that repeated administration of JWH-018 (i) modulates behaviour, (ii) affects dopaminergic transmission and its responsiveness to motivational stimuli, and (iii) is associated with a neuroinflammatory phenotype. Experimental Approach Rats were administered with JWH-018 once a day for 14 consecutive days. We then performed behavioural, electrophysiological, and neurochemical evaluation at multiple time points after drug discontinuation. Key Results Repeated JWH-018 exposure (i) induced anxious and aversive behaviours, transitory attentional deficits, and withdrawal signs; (ii) decreased spontaneous activity and number of dopamine neurons in the VTA; and (iii) reduced stimulation of dopaminergic transmission in the NAc shell while potentiating that in the NAc core, in response to acute JWH-018 challenge. Moreover, (iv) we observed a decreased dopamine sensitivity in the NAc shell and core, but not in the mPFC, to a first chocolate exposure; conversely, after a second exposure, dialysate dopamine fully increased in the NAc shell and core but not in the mPFC. Finally, selected dopamine brain areas showed (v) astrogliosis (mPFC, NAc shell and core, VTA), microgliosis (NAc shell and core), and downregulation of CB1 receptors (mPFC, NAc shell and core). Conclusion and Implications Repeated exposure to JWH-018 may provide a useful model to clarify the detrimental effects of recurring use of Spice/K2 drugs.

Published
2021
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7. Repeated exposure to JWH-018 induces adaptive changes in the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopaminergic pathways, glial cells alterations, and behavioural correlates

Author

School of Neuroscience, Pintori, Nicholas, Castelli, Maria Paola, Miliano, Cristina, Simola, Nicola, Fadda, Paola, Fattore, Liana, Scherma, Maria, Ennas, Maria Grazia, Mostallino, Rafaela, Flore, Giovanna, De Felice, Marta, Sagheddu, Claudia, Pistis, Marco, Di Chiara, Gaetano, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, School of Neuroscience, Pintori, Nicholas, Castelli, Maria Paola, Miliano, Cristina, Simola, Nicola, Fadda, Paola, Fattore, Liana, Scherma, Maria, Ennas, Maria Grazia, Mostallino, Rafaela, Flore, Giovanna, De Felice, Marta, Sagheddu, Claudia, Pistis, Marco, Di Chiara, Gaetano, and De Luca, Maria Antonietta

Abstract

Background and Purpose Spice/K2 herbal mixtures, containing synthetic cannabinoids such as JWH-018, have been marketed as marijuana surrogates since 2004. JWH-018 has cannabinoid CB1 receptor-dependent reinforcing properties and acutely increases dopaminergic transmission selectively in the NAc shell. Here, we tested the hypothesis that repeated administration of JWH-018 (i) modulates behaviour, (ii) affects dopaminergic transmission and its responsiveness to motivational stimuli, and (iii) is associated with a neuroinflammatory phenotype. Experimental Approach Rats were administered with JWH-018 once a day for 14 consecutive days. We then performed behavioural, electrophysiological, and neurochemical evaluation at multiple time points after drug discontinuation. Key Results Repeated JWH-018 exposure (i) induced anxious and aversive behaviours, transitory attentional deficits, and withdrawal signs; (ii) decreased spontaneous activity and number of dopamine neurons in the VTA; and (iii) reduced stimulation of dopaminergic transmission in the NAc shell while potentiating that in the NAc core, in response to acute JWH-018 challenge. Moreover, (iv) we observed a decreased dopamine sensitivity in the NAc shell and core, but not in the mPFC, to a first chocolate exposure; conversely, after a second exposure, dialysate dopamine fully increased in the NAc shell and core but not in the mPFC. Finally, selected dopamine brain areas showed (v) astrogliosis (mPFC, NAc shell and core, VTA), microgliosis (NAc shell and core), and downregulation of CB1 receptors (mPFC, NAc shell and core). Conclusion and Implications Repeated exposure to JWH-018 may provide a useful model to clarify the detrimental effects of recurring use of Spice/K2 drugs.

Published
2021

8. Repeated exposure to JWH‐018 induces adaptive changes in the mesolimbic and mesocortical dopaminergic pathways, glial cells alterations, and behavioural correlates

Author

Pintori, Nicholas, primary, Castelli, Maria Paola, additional, Miliano, Cristina, additional, Simola, Nicola, additional, Fadda, Paola, additional, Fattore, Liana, additional, Scherma, Maria, additional, Ennas, Maria Grazia, additional, Mostallino, Rafaela, additional, Flore, Giovanna, additional, De Felice, Marta, additional, Sagheddu, Claudia, additional, Pistis, Marco, additional, Di Chiara, Gaetano, additional, and De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional

Published
2021
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11. Late-onset Parkinsonism in NFκB/c-Rel-deficient mice

Author

Baiguera, Cristina, Alghisi, Manuela, Pinna, Annalisa, Bellucci, Arianna, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Frau, Lucia, Morelli, Micaela, Ingrassia, Rosaria, Benarese, Marina, Porrini, Vanessa, Pellitteri, Michele, Bertini, Giuseppe, Fabene, Paolo Francesco, Sigala, Sandra, Spillantini, Maria Grazia, Liou, Hsiou-Chi, Spano, Pier Franco, and Pizzi, Marina

Published
2012
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16. Pharmacological and Behavioral Effects of the Synthetic Cannabinoid AKB48 in Rats

Author

Bilel, Sabrine, primary, Tirri, Micaela, additional, Arfè, Raffaella, additional, Stopponi, Serena, additional, Soverchia, Laura, additional, Ciccocioppo, Roberto, additional, Frisoni, Paolo, additional, Strano-Rossi, Sabina, additional, Miliano, Cristina, additional, De-Giorgio, Fabio, additional, Serpelloni, Giovanni, additional, Fantinati, Anna, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Neri, Margherita, additional, and Marti, Matteo, additional

Published
2019
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17. The Novel Atypical Dopamine Uptake Inhibitor (S)-CE-123 Partially Reverses the Effort-Related Effects of the Dopamine Depleting Agent Tetrabenazine and Increases Progressive Ratio Responding

Author

Rotolo, Renee A., primary, Dragacevic, Vladimir, additional, Kalaba, Predrag, additional, Urban, Ernst, additional, Zehl, Martin, additional, Roller, Alexander, additional, Wackerlig, Judith, additional, Langer, Thierry, additional, Pistis, Marco, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Caria, Francesca, additional, Schwartz, Rebecca, additional, Presby, Rose E., additional, Yang, Jen-Hau, additional, Samels, Shanna, additional, Correa, Merce, additional, Lubec, Gert, additional, and Salamone, John D., additional

Published
2019
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19. Dopamine Restores Limbic Memory Loss, Dendritic Spine Structure, and NMDAR-Dependent LTD in the Nucleus Accumbens of Alcohol-Withdrawn Rats

Author

Cannizzaro, Carla, primary, Talani, Giuseppe, additional, Brancato, Anna, additional, Mulas, Giovanna, additional, Spiga, Saturnino, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Sanna, Angela, additional, Marino, Rosa Anna Maria, additional, Biggio, Giovanni, additional, Sanna, Enrico, additional, and Diana, Marco, additional

Published
2018
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20. Serotonergic Signaling Controls Input-Specific Synaptic Plasticity at Striatal Circuits

Author

Cavaccini, Anna, primary, Gritti, Marta, additional, Giorgi, Andrea, additional, Locarno, Andrea, additional, Heck, Nicolas, additional, Migliarini, Sara, additional, Bertero, Alice, additional, Mereu, Maddalena, additional, Margiani, Giulia, additional, Trusel, Massimo, additional, Catelani, Tiziano, additional, Marotta, Roberto, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Caboche, Jocelyne, additional, Gozzi, Alessandro, additional, Pasqualetti, Massimo, additional, and Tonini, Raffaella, additional

Published
2018
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21. Brain-wide Mapping of Endogenous Serotonergic Transmission via Chemogenetic fMRI

Author

Giorgi, Andrea, primary, Migliarini, Sara, additional, Galbusera, Alberto, additional, Maddaloni, Giacomo, additional, Mereu, Maddalena, additional, Margiani, Giulia, additional, Gritti, Marta, additional, Landi, Silvia, additional, Trovato, Francesco, additional, Bertozzi, Sine Mandrup, additional, Armirotti, Andrea, additional, Ratto, Gian Michele, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Tonini, Raffaella, additional, Gozzi, Alessandro, additional, and Pasqualetti, Massimo, additional

Published
2017
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22. Psychostimulant Effect of the Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-018 and AKB48: Behavioral, Neurochemical, and Dopamine Transporter Scan Imaging Studies in Mice

Author

Ossato, Andrea, primary, Uccelli, Licia, additional, Bilel, Sabrine, additional, Canazza, Isabella, additional, Di Domenico, Giovanni, additional, Pasquali, Micol, additional, Pupillo, Gaia, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Boschi, Alessandra, additional, Vincenzi, Fabrizio, additional, Rimondo, Claudia, additional, Beggiato, Sarah, additional, Ferraro, Luca, additional, Varani, Katia, additional, Borea, Pier Andrea, additional, Serpelloni, Giovanni, additional, De-Giorgio, Fabio, additional, and Marti, Matteo, additional

Published
2017
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23. Dopamine Restores Limbic Memory Loss, Dendritic Spine Structure, and NMDAR-Dependent LTD in the Nucleus Accumbens of Alcohol-Withdrawn Rats.

Author

Cannizzaro, Carla, Brancato, Anna, Talani, Giuseppe, Biggio, Giovanni, Sanna, Enrico, Mulas, Giovanna, Saturnino Spiga, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Sanna, Angela, Marino, Rosa Anna Maria, and Diana, Marco

Abstract

Alcohol abuse leads to aberrant forms of emotionally salient memory, i.e., limbic memory, that promote escalated alcohol consumption and relapse. Accordingly, activity-dependent structural abnormalities are likely to contribute to synaptic dysfunctions that occur from suddenly ceasing chronic alcohol consumption. Here we show that alcohol-dependent male rats fail to perform an emotional-learning task during abstinence but recover their functioning by L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanin (i.-DOPA) administration during early withdrawal. l-DOPA also reverses the selective loss of dendritic "long thin" spines observed in medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell of alcohol-dependent rats during abstinence, as well as the reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining and postsynaptic density-95-positive elements. Patchdamp experiments in NAc slices reveal that both in vivo systemic l-DOPA administration and in vitro exposure to dopamine can restore the loss of long-term depression (LTD) formation, counteract the reduction in NMDAR-mediated synaptic currents and rectify the altered NMDAR/AMPAR ratio observed in alcohol-withdrawn rats. Further, in vivo microdialysis experiments show that blunted dopaminergic signaling is revived after l-DOPA treatment during early withdrawal. These results suggest a key role of an efficient dopamine signaling for maintaining, and restore, neural trophism, NMDA-dependent LTD, and ultimately optimal learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2019
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24. Native CB1 receptor affinity, intrinsic activity and accumbens shell dopamine stimulant properties of third generation SPICE/K2 cannabinoids: BB-22, 5F-PB-22, 5F-AKB-48 and STS-135

Author

De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Castelli, M. Paola, Loi, Barbara, Porcu, Alessandra, Martorelli, Mariella, Miliano, Cristina, Kellett, Kathryn, Davidson, Colin, Stair, Jacqueline L., Schifano, Fabrizio, Di Chiara, Gaetano, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Castelli, M. Paola, Loi, Barbara, Porcu, Alessandra, Martorelli, Mariella, Miliano, Cristina, Kellett, Kathryn, Davidson, Colin, Stair, Jacqueline L., Schifano, Fabrizio, and Di Chiara, Gaetano

Abstract

In order to investigate the in vivo dopamine (DA) stimulant properties of selected 3rd generation Spice/K2 cannabinoids, BB-22, 5F-PB-22, 5F-AKB-48 and STS-135, their in vitro affinity and agonist potency at native rat and mice CB1 receptors was studied. The compounds bind with high affinity to CB1 receptors in rat cerebral cortex homogenates and stimulate CB1-induced [(35)S]GTPγS binding with high potency and efficacy. BB-22 and 5F-PB-22 showed the lowest Ki of binding to CB1 receptors (0.11 and 0.13 nM), i.e., 30 and 26 times lower respectively than that of JWH-018 (3.38 nM), and a potency (EC50, 2.9 and 3.7 nM, respectively) and efficacy (Emax, 217% and 203%, respectively) as CB1 agonists higher than JWH-018 (EC50, 20.2 nM; Emax, 163%). 5F-AKB-48 and STS-135 had higher Ki for CB1 binding, higher EC50 and lower Emax as CB1 agonists than BB-22 and 5F-PB-22 but still comparatively more favourable than JWH-018. The agonist properties of all the compounds were abolished or drastically reduced by the CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 (0.1 μM). No activation of G-protein was observed in CB1-KO mice. BB-22 (0.003-0.01 mg/kg i.v.) increased dialysate DA in the accumbens shell but not in the core or in the medial prefrontal cortex, with a bell shaped dose-response curve and an effect at 0.01 mg/kg and a biphasic time-course. Systemic AM251 (1.0 mg/kg i.p.) completely prevented the stimulant effect of BB-22 on dialysate DA in the NAc shell. All the other compounds increased dialysate DA in the NAc shell at doses consistent with their in vitro affinity for CB1 receptors (5F-PB-22, 0.01 mg/kg; 5F-AKB-48, 0.1 mg/kg; STS-135, 0.15 mg/kg i.v.). 3rd generation cannabinoids can be even more potent and super-high CB1 receptor agonists compared to JWH-018. Future research will try to establish if these properties can explain the high toxicity and lethality associated with these compounds.

Published
2016

26. Stimulation of in vivo dopamine transmission and intravenous self-administration in rats and mice by JWH-018, a Spice cannabinoid

Author

De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Bimpisidis, Zisis, Melis, Miriam, Marti, Matteo, Caboni, Pierluigi, Valentini, Valentina, Margiani, G, Pintori, N, Polis, I, Marsicano, Giovanni, Parsons, Larry H, Di Chiara, Gaetano, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Bimpisidis, Zisis, Melis, Miriam, Marti, Matteo, Caboni, Pierluigi, Valentini, Valentina, Margiani, G, Pintori, N, Polis, I, Marsicano, Giovanni, Parsons, Larry H, and Di Chiara, Gaetano

Published
2015

28. Erratum: PPARc Activation Attenuates Opioid Consumption and Modulates Mesolimbic Dopamine Transmission

Author

de Guglielmo, Giordano, primary, Melis, Miriam, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Kallupi, Marsida, additional, Li, Hong Wu, additional, Niswender, Kevin, additional, Giordano, Antonio, additional, Senzacqua, Martina, additional, Somaini, Lorenzo, additional, Cippitelli, Andrea, additional, Gaitanaris, George, additional, Demopulos, Gregory, additional, Damadzic, Ruslan, additional, Tapocik, Jenica, additional, Heilig, Markus, additional, and Ciccocioppo, Roberto, additional

Published
2015
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31. PPARγ Activation Attenuates Opioid Consumption and Modulates Mesolimbic Dopamine Transmission

Author

de Guglielmo, Giordano, primary, Melis, Miriam, additional, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, additional, Kallupi, Marsida, additional, Li, Hong Wu, additional, Niswender, Kevin, additional, Giordano, Antonio, additional, Senzacqua, Martina, additional, Somaini, Lorenzo, additional, Cippitelli, Andrea, additional, Gaitanaris, George, additional, Demopulos, Gregory, additional, Damadzic, Ruslan, additional, Tapocik, Jenica, additional, Heilig, Markus, additional, and Ciccocioppo, Roberto, additional

Published
2014
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35. PPARγ Activation Attenuates Opioid Consumption and Modulates Mesolimbic Dopamine Transmission.

Author

de Guglielmo, Giordano, Kallupi, Marsida, Li, Hong Wu, Cippitelli, Andrea, Ciccocioppo, Roberto, Melis, Miriam, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, Niswender, Kevin, Giordano, Antonio, Senzacqua, Martina, Somaini, Lorenzo, Gaitanaris, George, Demopulos, Gregory, Damadzic, Ruslan, Tapocik, Jenica, and Heilig, Markus

Subjects
PIOGLITAZONE, PEROXISOME proliferator-activated receptors, HEROIN, MORPHINE, NEURONS, DOPAMINE, NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
Abstract

PPARγ is one of the three isoforms identified for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and is the receptor for the thiazolidinedione class of anti-diabetic medications including pioglitazone. PPARγ has been long studied for its role in adipogenesis and glucose metabolism, but the discovery of the localization in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons opens new vistas for a potential role in the regulation of reward processing and motivated behavior in drug addiction. Here, we demonstrate that activation of PPARγ by pioglitazone reduces the motivation for heroin and attenuates its rewarding properties. These effects are associated with a marked reduction of heroin-induced increase in phosphorylation of DARPP-32 protein in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and with a marked and selective reduction of acute heroin-induced elevation of extracellular dopamine (DA) levels in the NAc shell, as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Through ex vivo electrophysiology in acute midbrain slices, we also show that stimulation of PPARγ attenuates opioid-induced excitation of VTA DA neurons via reduction of presynaptic GABA release from the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg). Consistent with this finding, site-specific microinjection of pioglitazone into the RMTg but not into the VTA reduced heroin taking. Our data illustrate that activation of PPARγ may represent a new pharmacotherapeutic option for the treatment of opioid addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2015
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37. Neuroprotective Benefits of Exercise and MitoQ on Memory Function, Mitochondrial Dynamics, Oxidative Stress, and Neuroinflammation in D-Galactose-Induced Aging Rats.

Author

Jeong, Jae-Hoon, Koo, Jung-Hoon, Yook, Jang Soo, Cho, Joon-Yong, Kang, Eun-Bum, and De Luca, Maria Antonietta

Subjects
OXIDATIVE stress, NADPH oxidase, MITOCHONDRIA, INFLAMMATION, TREADMILL exercise
Abstract

Exercise and antioxidants have health benefits that improve cognitive impairment and may act synergistically. In this study, we examined the effects of treadmill exercise (TE) and mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone (MitoQ), individually or combined, on learning and memory, mitochondrial dynamics, NADPH oxidase activity, and neuroinflammation and antioxidant activity in the hippocampus of D-galactose-induced aging rats. TE alone and TE combined with MitoQ in aging rats reduced mitochondrial fission factors (Drp1, Fis1) and increased mitochondrial fusion factors (Mfn1, Mfn2, Opa1). These groups also exhibited improved NADPH oxidase activity and antioxidant activity (SOD-2, catalase). TE or MitoQ alone decreased neuroinflammatory response (COX-2, TNF-α), but the suppression was greater with their combination. In addition, aging-increased neuroinflammation in the dentate gyrus was decreased in TE but not MitoQ treatment. Learning and memory tests showed that, contrarily, MitoQ alone demonstrated some similar effects to TE but not a definitive improvement. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that MitoQ exerted some positive effects on aging when used as an isolated treatment, but TE had a more effective role on cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondria dysfunction. Our findings suggest that the combination of TE and MitoQ exerted no synergistic effects and indicated regular exercise should be the first priority in neuroprotection of age-related cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2021
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38. Sales and Advertising Channels of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): Internet, Social Networks, and Smartphone Apps.

Author

Miliano, Cristina, Margiani, Giulia, De Luca, Maria Antonietta, and Fattore, Liana

Subjects
DRUG utilization, PSYCHIATRIC drugs, CANNABIS (Genus), COCAINE, HOSPITAL care, MOBILE apps
Abstract

In the last decade, the trend of drug consumption has completely changed, and several new psychoactive substances (NPS) have appeared on the drug market as legal alternatives to common drugs of abuse. Designed to reproduce the effects of illegal substances like cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine, or ketamine, NPS are only in part controlled by UN conventions and represent an emerging threat to global public health. The effects of NPS greatly differ from drug to drug and relatively scarce information is available at present about their pharmacology and potential toxic effects. Yet, compared to more traditional drugs, more dangerous short- and long-term effects have been associated with their use, and hospitalizations and fatal intoxications have also been reported after NPS use. In the era of cyberculture, the Internet acts as an ideal platform to promote and market these compounds, leading to a global phenomenon. Hidden by several aliases, these substances are sold across the web, and information about consumption is shared by online communities through drug fora, YouTube channels, social networks, and smartphone applications (apps). This review intends to provide an overview and analysis of social media that contribute to the popularity of NPS especially among young people. The possibility of using the same channels responsible for their growing diffusion to make users aware of the risks associated with NPS use is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2018
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39. Neuronal and peripheral damages induced by synthetic psychoactive substances: an update of recent findings from human and animal studies.

Author

Costa G, De Luca MA, Piras G, Marongiu J, Fattore L, and Simola N

Abstract

Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that synthetic psychoactive substances, in addition to having abuse potential, may elicit toxic effects of varying severity at the peripheral and central levels. Nowadays, toxicity induced by synthetic psychoactive substances poses a serious harm for health, since recreational use of these substances is on the rise among young and adult people. The present review summarizes recent findings on the peripheral and central toxicity elicited by "old" and "new" synthetic psychoactive substances in humans and experimental animals, focusing on amphetamine derivatives, hallucinogen and dissociative drugs and synthetic cannabinoids., Competing Interests: None

Published
2020
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