Synthetic cathinones: Chemical phylogeny, physiology, and neuropharmacology

This mini-review summarizes the history of cathinone and its synthesized derivatives from early records to the present day, including the appearance of synthetic cathinones in the drug combination known as bath salts. Bath salts may consist of one compound (MDPV) or combinations of MDPV and one or more other synthetic cathinones, which may also appear alone without MDPV. We briefly review recent in vitro studies of bath salts components alone or in combination, focusing on pharmacological and biophysical studies. Finally we summarize new data from in vivo procedures that characterize the abuse-related neurochemical and behavioral effects of synthetic cathinones in rats.

Graphical abstractBath salts contain synthetic cathinones, for example, a DAT substrate such as mephedrone (MEPH), a DAT blocker, MDPV, or both. Assume that MEPH and MDPV were both present. By hypotheses: MEPH opens DAT, induces a depolarizing current, stimulates vesicle fusion, and causes DA release (left). MDPV is slower acting thanMEPH and prevents reuptake of DA (right).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (102 K)Download as PowerPoint slide