Neuropharmacology of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS): The Science Behind the Headlines (Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 32)

Designer drugs, or new psychoactive substances (NPS), are synthetic chemicals that mimic the effects of classic drugs of abuse. There has been an alarming worldwide increase in the abuse of NPS in recent years. NPS are cheap, easy to obtain, and often legally available. In this volume, leading experts summarize the latest studies regarding the molecular mechanisms of action, behavioral effects, and adverse consequences of popular NPS. Specific chapters clarify the differences between various types of NPS, namely: stimulants, cannabinoids and hallucinogens. Thus, this volume broadens our understanding of NPS and provides insight into the rapidly evolving “new drug” phenomenon. Front Matter....Pages i-viii The Growing Problem of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)....Pages 1-18 Structure-Activity Relationships of Synthetic Cathinones....Pages 19-47 Interactions of Cathinone NPS with Human Transporters and Receptors in Transfected Cells....Pages 49-72 Electrophysiological Actions of Synthetic Cathinones on Monoamine Transporters....Pages 73-92 Neuropharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), Its Metabolites, and Related Analogs....Pages 93-117 Decoding the Structure of Abuse Potential for New Psychoactive Substances: Structure–Activity Relationships for Abuse-Related Effects of 4-Substituted Methcathinone Analogs....Pages 119-131 Reinforcing Effects of Cathinone NPS in the Intravenous Drug Self-Administration Paradigm....Pages 133-143 Predicting the Abuse Liability of Entactogen-Class, New and Emerging Psychoactive Substances via Preclinical Models of Drug Self-administration....Pages 145-164 The Affective Properties of Synthetic Cathinones: Role of Reward and Aversion in Their Abuse....Pages 165-181 MDMA, Methylone, and MDPV: Drug-Induced Brain Hyperthermia and Its Modulation by Activity State and Environment....Pages 183-207 Neurotoxicology of Synthetic Cathinone Analogs....Pages 209-230 Combination Chemistry: Structure–Activity Relationships of Novel Psychoactive Cannabinoids....Pages 231-248 Pharmacological and Toxicological Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids and Their Metabolites....Pages 249-262 Tripping with Synthetic Cannabinoids (“Spice”): Anecdotal and Experimental Observations in Animals and Man....Pages 263-281 Pharmacology and Toxicology of N-Benzylphenethylamine (“NBOMe”) Hallucinogens....Pages 283-311 Clinical Pharmacology of the Synthetic Cathinone Mephedrone....Pages 313-331 Application of a Combined Approach to Identify New Psychoactive Street Drugs and Decipher Their Mechanisms at Monoamine Transporters....Pages 333-350 NPS: Medical Consequences Associated with Their Intake....Pages 351-380