Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2022
Micaela Tirri, Sabrine Bilel, Raffaella Arfè et al.
17 citations
Psychedelic phenethylamines, especially -NBOMe compounds, impair sensorimotor function, reaction time, and sensory gating in mice more potently than LSD or their 2C analogs. Halogenated derivatives 25I-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe were the most effective at altering visual and acoustic responses, motor activity, and prepulse inhibition. The rank order of potency showed these -NBOMe compounds were stronger than both 2C analogs and LSD. These sensory impairments affected spontaneous movement and reaction time without changing stimulated motor performance. The findings suggest that -NBOMe compounds pose potential public health risks, particularly for driving or hazardous work requiring intact sensorimotor skills.
Brain Sciences
August 25, 2020
Micaela Tirri, Luisa Ponzoni, Sabrine Bilel et al.
9 citations
Two new psychoactive substances, DOB and PMA, which are structurally similar to MDMA and sold as ecstasy, impair motor behavior and sensorimotor responses in mice and induce hallucinatory states in zebrafish. In CD-1 male mice, acute administration of DOB and PMA (0.01–30 mg/kg) reduced spontaneous locomotion and disrupted prepulse inhibition of startle responses to visual, acoustic, and tactile stimuli. In zebrafish, lower doses of DOB (0.075–2 mg/kg) and PMA (0.0005–0.5 mg/kg) decreased swimming activity and reduced a hallucinatory score, indicating pro-psychedelic effects. These findings suggest the substances alter sensorimotor gating and may produce hallucinogen-like states.
Psychopharmacology
March 1, 2024
Marta Bassi, Sabrine Bilel, Micaela Tirri et al.
7 citations
5-MeO-MiPT, a new psychedelic tryptamine first identified in Italy in 2014, dose-dependently inhibits sensorimotor responses and prepulse inhibition in male CD-1 mice, and at high doses (30 mg/kg) impairs stimulated motor activity and causes cardiorespiratory changes. In silico ADMET predictions indicate its toxicokinetic profile resembles those of 5-MeO-DIPT and DMT, with a cytochrome-related risk. Correspondence between effects in mice and symptoms from a human intoxication case suggests consumption can impair activity performance and pose health risks, but the authors argue the compound should not be excluded from psychiatric therapy research.
International journal of molecular sciences
March 20, 2025
Sabrine Bilel, Cristina Miliano, Giorgia Corli et al.
3 citations
The synthetic psychedelic 25I-NBOMe, a selective 5HT2A receptor agonist abused as a counterfeit LSD, alters dopamine transmission, behavior, and synaptic plasticity in mice. At the highest dose tested (1 mg/kg), it increased dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens shell. It also increased reaction time within 30 minutes after administration and disrupted prepulse inhibition, indicating sensorimotor gating deficits. In brain slices, 25I-NBOMe prevented long-term potentiation in the medial prefrontal cortex, an effect not reversed by a selective 5HT2A antagonist. These findings highlight risks of 25I-NBOMe use, including altered neurotransmission and impaired cognitive processes.
Neuropharmacology
February 1, 2026
Giorgia Corli, Fabrizio De Luca, Sabrine Bilel et al.
1 citation
Repeated exposure to the synthetic cannabinoid AKB48 worsens the visual sensorimotor, sensory gating, and motor reactivity response to the hallucinogens 2C-I and 25I-NBOMe in mice. This effect is more prolonged in males than in females. The underlying mechanism involves neuroplastic changes in the cerebellum and cortex, specifically at serotonin 2A receptors and the serotonin transporter. These changes occur more markedly and rapidly in female mice. The findings highlight a significant interaction between synthetic cannabinoids and psychedelic drugs, which may be relevant to long-term effects and psychiatric consequences of their consumption.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
November 29, 2025
M. Bassi, Elisa Roda, Giorgia Corli et al.
3-chloromethcathinone (3-CMC), a synthetic cathinone involved in many poisonings, causes locomotor stimulation, rapid breathing, hypothermia, and sensorimotor alterations in mice, with prepulse inhibition changes only at high doses and minor sex differences. All 15 human intoxications in Italy from 2014 to 2025 were non-fatal, involving male patients with psychomotor agitation, psychosis, aggressiveness, CNS depression, cardiac arrhythmias, chest pain, and tachypnea. Predicted metabolic reactions include N-dealkylation, N-hydroxylation, and phenyl hydroxylation, and all compounds show potential for drug-drug interactions and cardiotoxicity.