Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
July 1, 2025
Negar G Ardabili, Shira Tan, Anthony L Riley
1 citation
Pre-exposure to the synthetic cathinone eutylone did not reduce the aversive effects of cocaine or MDMA in male rats, despite sharing some pharmacological activity. Rats given eutylone before taste avoidance conditioning still developed strong avoidance to cocaine and MDMA. However, pre-exposure to eutylone did attenuate the aversive effects of eutylone itself, indicating the drug was active in the preparation. The failure to alter cocaine or MDMA avoidance suggests eutylone's hybrid pharmacology may produce a distinct interoceptive state unlike that of either drug.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
March 1, 2026
Negar G Ardabili, Shira Tan, María Elisa Márquez De Prado Arrarás et al.
A history of exposure to the synthetic cathinone eutylone alters the rewarding but not the aversive effects of cocaine and MDMA in female rats. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were given prior eutylone or saline, then underwent conditioning where saccharin taste and a distinct compartment were paired with cocaine, MDMA, or eutylone. All three drugs produced taste avoidance. Prior eutylone reduced the taste avoidance caused by eutylone itself but did not affect avoidance caused by cocaine or MDMA. Eutylone history had no effect on place preferences for MDMA or eutylone but increased place preferences for cocaine. The dissociable effects on reward versus aversion suggest that the subjective effects of eutylone differ from those of MDMA and cocaine, and that the neural bases for these drug effects are separable.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
November 1, 2025
Shadan Rahmani, Rachel Crupi, Anthony L Riley et al.
A resurgence of interest in psychedelic drugs for therapeutic use is underway, with anecdotal and evidence-based reports suggesting they may treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse. However, available data are limited and their use remains controversial. This paper reports on talks by eighteen experts at a symposium covering safety and effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapies, brain systems involved, ethical issues, access pathways, regulation, and patenting. The symposium revealed the potential of psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders and the scientific, legal, and policy challenges to realizing that potential.