Chemokines and 'bath salts': CXCR4 receptor antagonist reduces rewarding and locomotor-stimulant effects of the designer cathinone MDPV in rats

A CXCR4 antagonist reduced the rewarding and locomotor-activating effects of MDPV. Our results identify the existence of chemokine/cathinone interactions and suggest the rewarding and stimulant effects of MDPV, similar to cocaine, require an active CXCL12/CXCR4 system.