|
|
|
Basic InformationMore InformationTestsLatest NewsMarijuana Use Rising Among High School Seniors: ReportIn Terms of Drinking, the Rich Are Different, Study SaysDelayed Auditory Processing Found in Fetal Alcohol SyndromeHeavy Smokers, Drinkers May Face Pancreatic Cancer Earlier in LifeDrinking, Driving Drops by Half Among Teens: CDCModerate Drinking May Increase Risk of Heart Rhythm Disorder: StudyHealth Tip: Don't Combine Medication and AlcoholWhy Some Mothers (Wrongly) Let Kids Try AlcoholDoctors Should Screen Adults for Alcohol Misuse, U.S. Panel SaysPrescription Drug Abuse Drops Among U.S. Young AdultsExtra Steps Urged to Cut Alcohol, Drug Use in Military: ReportQuitting Drinking May Help Alcoholics' Bone Loss'Doctor Shopping' Tied to Fatal Prescription Drug OverdosesHeavy Drinking Linked to Earlier StrokePot Use May Raise Risk of Testicular Cancer: StudyWomen's Brains React Differently Than Men's to Alcoholism, Study FindsHeavy Marijuana Use in Teen Years May Lower IQ LaterPrior Substance Abuse Linked to Opioid Abuse in Young MenTeens Who Drink, Smoke More Likely to Abuse Painkillers: StudyStudy Affirms Marijuana, 'Spice' Harmful in PregnancyBrain Scans May Spot Teens at Risk for Problem DrinkingBooze, Energy Drinks, Casual Sex Combo Common in College: Study'Bath Salts' Demonstrate High Potential for AbuseIllegal 'Bath Salts' Mimic Cocaine in the Brain: StudyEffects of Heavy Alcohol Exposure During Pregnancy EvaluatedHeavy Drinking in Pregnancy Linked to Host of Problems in ChildrenMom's Pot Use Doubles Risk of 'Preemie' Birth: Study'Abuse-Resistant' Oxycontin May Be Driving Addicts to HeroinTeach Prescribers About Dangers of Long-Acting Pain Meds: FDAMethadone for Pain Relief Leading Cause of Fatal Overdoses: CDCSummer Is Peak Time for Teens to Try Drugs, Alcohol: Report40 Million Americans Addicted to Cigarettes, Alcohol or Drugs1 in 10 Fibromyalgia Patients Uses Marijuana to Ease PainGenes May Influence Reactions to PainkillersMore Mental Health Woes in College Kids Who Abuse Prescription DrugsTeen Drinkers May Feel Like Social Outcasts: StudyState Laws Cut Teen Drinking and Driving, Large Study ShowsMental Health Woes Raise Odds for Prescription Painkiller AbuseNeural Link Between Resiliency and Alcohol, Drug Use Identified Self-Help Groups |
| |
'Bath Salts' Demonstrate High Potential for Abuse
Updated: Jul 27th 2012
FRIDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- Mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant known as "bath salts," stimulates reward centers in the brain in a similar manner to cocaine, indicating a high potential for abuse, according to a study published in the Sept. 1 issue of Behavioural Brain Research.
J. Elliott Robinson, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and colleagues examined the ability of mephedrone and cocaine to alter the response of mice to intracranial self-stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle, which is involved in reward perception.
The researchers found that, beginning 15 minutes after mephedrone administration, there was a dose-dependent decrease in the half maximal responding (maximum effect, 72.3 percent of baseline), the brain stimulation reward threshold (maximum effect, 59.6 percent of baseline), and the maximum response rate (maximum effect, 67.0 percent of baseline). Similar results were observed immediately after administration of cocaine, with similar potencies, although there was no effect on maximum response rate.
"The effects of mephedrone on the brain's reward circuits are comparable to similar doses of cocaine," Robinson said in a statement. "As expected our research shows that mephedrone likely has significant abuse liability."
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
This article: Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved. |
