Effects of synthetic cathinones contained in “bath salts” on motor behavior and a functional observational battery in mice

► Bath salts are emerging drugs of abuse that contain both legal and illegal cathinones. ► Effects of synthetic cathinones found in bath salts were compared to cocaine and methamphetamine. ► All cathinones produced typical stimulant-induced increases in locomotor activity. ► Some cathinones produced more behaviorally toxic effects than classic stimulants of abuse. ► Individual synthetic cathinones differ in their profile of effects, and differ from known stimulants of abuse.