Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
December 1, 2009
Aashish S. Morani, Bronwyn Kivell, Thomas E. Prisinzano et al.
91 citations
Pretreatment with several kappa-opioid receptor agonists, including salvinorin A (Sal A), the active compound in Salvia divinorum, reduced cocaine-induced drug-seeking in rats. After learning to self-administer cocaine, rats underwent extinction and then received a cocaine priming injection. Cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking was attenuated by U69593, U50488H, spiradoline, and Sal A. Sal A did not affect sucrose-reinforced responding or cocaine-induced hyperactivity, suggesting its effects are specific to drug-seeking. These findings indicate that Sal A, like other kappa-opioid agonists, can suppress cocaine-seeking behavior.
Scientific Reports
October 2, 2020
Manoj K. Doss, Darrick G. May, Matthew W. Johnson et al.
52 citations
Salvinorin A, a κ-opioid receptor agonist and dissociative hallucinogen found in Salvia divinorum, alters human brain functional connectivity in ways similar to other hallucinogens. In a placebo-controlled, within-subject fMRI study, inhaled Salvinorin A tended to decrease functional connectivity within brain networks while increasing connectivity between networks, most notably attenuating the default mode network during peak effects. It reduced brainwide dynamic functional connectivity but increased brainwide entropic functional connectivity, though only the reduction survived statistical correction. Connectome-based classification models trained on dynamic connectivity accurately identified Salvinorin A scans, especially when using default mode network interactions. These findings suggest shared neural mechanisms across hallucinogen types.
Natural Product Reports
October 26, 2009
Katherine M. Prevatt‐Smith, Thomas E. Prisinzano
14 citations
Much of neuroscience knowledge has come from studying mind-altering natural products, yet the underlying causes of CNS disorders remain elusive. Past successes suggest that continued investigation of these compounds can yield novel medications and identify new therapeutic targets. This Highlight reviews the history of research into several classes of mind-altering natural products and discusses their recent and potential therapeutic applications.
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
April 26, 2021
Alison Wakeford, Alexander M. Sherwood, Thomas E. Prisinzano et al.
6 citations
Synthetic cathinones produce behavioral effects similar to either psychostimulants like methamphetamine or entactogens like MDMA, depending on their dopaminergic or serotonergic activity. In squirrel monkeys trained to distinguish methamphetamine or MDMA from a placebo, cathinones such as MDPV, α-PVP, and methcathinone fully substituted for methamphetamine but only partially for MDMA, indicating primarily dopamine-mediated effects. Conversely, mephedrone and methylone fully substituted for MDMA but not for methamphetamine, suggesting a primary role for serotonin. These differences in interoceptive effects in nonhuman primates may reflect the subjective effects these drugs produce in humans.