169,734 research outputs found
The Italian National Early Warning System for Drugs of Abuse: Toxicovigilance on New Psychoactive Substances
No full textThe National Early
Warning System (NEWS) was created to identify new
sentinel cases on new drugs of abuse, to collect and evaluate the few available clinical features, to diffuse clinical signals
to the health system, and to promote preventative and
regulatory actions
Synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 impairs object recognition memory in mice: behavioral and electrophysiological evidence
No full textIntroduction:
JWH-018 (1-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl) indole) is a synthetic CB1 and CB2 agonist illegally marketed in 'Spice' and “herbal blend” for its psychoactive effects similar to those produced by Cannabis. In rodents JWH-018 reproduces the typical effects of THC as hypothermia, analgesia, hypolocomotion and akinesia, while its effects on memory functions are still unknowns. Behavioral and in vitro electrophysiological studies were undertaken to investigated the effects of acute JWH-018 administration on novel object recognition memory and hippocampal LTP formation in CD-1 male mice.
Methods and Results:
The novel object recognition task is a one-trial learning paradigm allowing the assessment of acquisition, consolidation or retrieval of (object) information separately. JWH-018 (0.1-1 mg/Kg i.p.) dose-dependently impaired both short (2 hours after training section) and long (24 hours after training section) memory retention in mice by CB1 receptor stimulation, since JWH-018 effect was prevented by the selective CB-1 receptor antagonist AM251 (3 mg/Kg).
Electrically evoked Schaffer area fEPSP has been extracellularly recorded from stratum radiatum of mouse dorsal hippocampal transversal slices. A stimulus–response curve was recorded before and after JWH-018 contact. At this time, an LTP stimulation paradigm was applied. JWH-018 (10-1000 nM) dose-dependently reduced LTP in hippocampal slices and abolished it at higher concentrations (300 and 1000 nM).
Conclusion:
These results show that JWH-018 impairs cognitive function in mice possibly by impairing hippocampal memory formation. This aspect should be carefully investigated since chronic consumption of THC impairs cognitive function not only in animal models but in particular in human consumers by altering brain neurodevelopment (http://www.dronet.org/monografia.php?monografie=93)
Uso di cocaina e lesioni distruttive facciali: linee di indirizzo per gli specialisti otorinolaringoiatri
No full textL’uso di cocaina e la sua assunzione per via inalatoria comportano costantemente nei consumatori una lunga serie di problematiche mediche e sociali ma anche di lesioni, di vario ordine e grado, soprattutto a livello delle fosse nasali, delle strutture delle prime vie aeree e del palato.
Il riscontro di queste alterazioni da parte dei medici specialisti ORL necessita di conoscenze più specifiche su quello che l’uso di cocaina può comportare sia per il riscontro in alcuni casi di evoluzioni maligne e destruenti della struttura mucosa, cartilaginea ed ossea, sia per l’importante opera di diagnosi precoce di uso di sostanze stupefacenti a cui questi specialisti possono concorrere, orientando ed indicando ai pazienti idonei percorsi di cura e, nel caso dei minori, allertando i genitori su un possibile uso di cocaina nei figli.
Queste linee di indirizzo sono dirette agli specialisti ORL, ma anche ai medici di medicina generale ed ai genitori al fine di incrementare la rete di attenzione al problema, fornendo elementi tecnico-scientifici in ambito diagnostico specialistico ed orientamenti pratici per poter eseguire diagnosi differenziali più precoci e corrette. Tutto questo anche con la finalità di concorrere a prevenire una eventuale evoluzione da un uso occasionale di cocaina verso forme di dipendenza, e/o di far entrare in trattamento persone che hanno già sviluppato dipendenza ma che non hanno ancora maturato la consapevolezza della necessità del trattamento. Il Dipartimento Politiche Antidroga della Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, in collaborazione con il Ministero della Salute e con la Società Italiana di Otorinolaringoiatria, ha messo a punto queste linee di indirizzo che vogliono essere anche un contributo ulteriore agli interventi contro l’uso di tutte le droghe, in questo caso, della cocaina
Powerful cocaine-like action of MDPV on aggressive behaviour in isolated mice
No full textMDPV (3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone) is a synthetic cathinone illegally marketed as “bath salts” or “plant food” and consumed for its psychostimulant effects similar to those produced by cocaine, amphetamines and MDMA. Clinical reports indicate that MDPV produce euphoria, increase alertness and at high doses it causes agitation, psychosis, tachycardia and even death (1). In particular, the second leading cause of death induced by MDPV and other cathinones is associated with self-harm, risky and violent behavior (2, 3). Anecdotal reports suggests that MDPV increases violent aggressive behavior in men similar to that reported for alcohol and cocaine consumption (4).
In rodents, MDPV reproduces the typical physiological effects of psychostimulant drugs, showing a greater potency compared to cocaine (5). Nevertheless, its role on aggressive behavior is still unknowns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MDPV on aggressive behavior in mice and to compare its action with that induced by cocaine.
The Resident-Intruder paradigm in isolated mice (6) was undertaken to investigate the effect of MDPV and cocaine on aggressive behavior. Saline administration causes an increase in aggressive behavior in 7% of total mice (n=50) with an increase of bite frequency of +52±1% respect to control baseline. Systemic MDPV administration (i.p.) at 0.1 and 10 mg/Kg causes an increased aggressive behavior in 46% and 55 % of total mice (n=50 for each treatment) with an increased frequency of bites of +134±22% and +155±18 % respectively. Similarly, cocaine administration (i.p.) at 0.1 and 10 mg/Kg causes an increased aggressive behavior in 13% and 27 % of total mice (n=50 for each treatment) with an increased frequency of bites of +82±8% and +132±11 % respectively, proving to be less potent than MDPV in inducing aggressive behavior in mice. The aggressive effect caused by MDPV is consistent with the positive modulation on catecholamine release (5) and its powerful action may reflect its stronger ability to inhibit dopamine and norepinephrine uptake respect to cocaine (5). These results show for the first time that MDPV enhance aggressive behavior in mice with grater potency compared to cocaine. This aspect should be carefully investigated for the prevention of interpersonal violence in human induced by novel psychoactive drug consumption.
(1) Prosser J.M. and Nelson L.S. (2012) J Med Toxicol. 8: 33-42.
(2) Marinetti L.J. and Antonides H.M. (2013) J. Anal. Toxicol. 37: 135-146.
(3) Schifano F., Corkery J. and Ghodse A.H. (2012) J. Clin. Psychopharmacol. 32: 710-714.
(4) Chermack S.T. and Blow F.C. (2002) Drug Alcohol Depend. 58: 43-54.
(5) Baumann M.H., Partilla J.S., Lehener K.R. et al., (2013) Neuropsychopharmacology 38:552-562.
(6) Miczec K.A. and O’Donnel J.M. (1978) Psychopharmacology 57: 47-5
Acute intoxication cases related to methoxetamine consumption in Italy: clinical and toxicological evidences
No full textAccording to European directives, in 2008 the Department for Antidrug Policies of the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers activated the National Early Warning System aimed at monitoring new psychoactive substances and at implementing actions to prevent health consequences related to their consumption. Among new drugs registered, methoxetamine was identified in seized materials and was related to two acute intoxication cases notified by the poison control centers in Pavia and Florence
JWH-018 impairs sensorimotor functions in mice
No full textNaphthalen-1-yl-(1-pentylindol-3-yl)methanone (JWH-018) is a synthetic cannabinoid agonist illegally marketed in "Spice" and "herbal blend" for its psychoactive effect greater than those produced by cannabis. In rodents JWH-018 reproduces typical effects of (-)-Δ(9)-THC or Dronabinol® (Δ(9)-THC) such as hypothermia, analgesia, hypolocomotion and akinesia, while its effects on sensorimotor functions are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of acute administration of JWH-018 (0.01-6mg/kg i.p.) on sensorimotor functions in male CD-1 mice and to compare its effects with those caused by the administration of Δ(9)-THC (0.01-6mg/kg i.p.). A specific battery of behavioral tests were adopted to investigate effects of cannabinoid agonists on sensorimotor functions (visual, auditory, tactile) and neurological changes (convulsion, myoclonia, hyperreflexia) while video-tracking analysis was used to study spontaneous locomotion. JWH-018 administration inhibited sensorimotor responses at lower doses (0.01-0.1mg/kg), reduced spontaneous locomotion at intermediate/high doses (1-6mg/kg) and induced convulsions, myoclonia and hyperreflexia at high doses (6mg/kg). Similarly, administration of Δ(9)-THC reduced sensorimotor responses in mice but it did not inhibit spontaneous locomotion and it did not induce neurological alterations. All behavioral effects and neurological alterations were prevented by the administration of the selective CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-4-methyl-N-(piperidin-1-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (AM 251). For the first time these data demonstrate that JWH-018 impairs sensorimotor responses in mice. This aspect should be carefully evaluated to better understand the potential danger that JWH-018 may pose to public health, with particular reference to decreased performance in driving and hazardous works
- …
