ISSN 1570-159X
15 papers in the library · 999 citations · publishing 2011-2025
Current Neuropharmacology December 10, 2014 Roberta Tittarelli, Giulio Mannocchi, Flaminia Pantano et al. 217 citations
A review organizes information from the internet and scientific literature to help specialists, including emergency department personnel, address the emerging threat of new psychoactive substances (NPS) to public health and public security.
Current Neuropharmacology March 2, 2018 Jonathan Hamill, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Serdar Dursun et al. 179 citations
Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian brew made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves, containing beta-carboline alkaloids and the hallucinogen DMT. Originally used by indigenous shamans for spiritual and healing purposes, it has been incorporated into folk medicine and religious ceremonies in Brazil and is now also used recreationally in Europe and North America. This review summarizes ayahuasca's behavioral and physiological effects, safety profile, proposed mechanisms, and potential clinical uses for psychiatric disorders and addictions. The side effect profile appears relatively mild, but more detailed studies are needed. Some researchers advocate relaxing government regulations to allow comprehensive clinical trials.
Current Neuropharmacology March 25, 2016 Brittany A. Jaso, Mark J. Niciu, Nicolas D. Iadarola et al. 97 citations
Current antidepressants for major depressive disorder work through monoaminergic mechanisms and have a delayed onset and limited efficacy. Glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter, is involved in depression's pathophysiology. Since ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, showed rapid antidepressant effects in 2000, other NMDA receptor antagonists have been studied but with more modest effects. Some have advantages like oral administration and fewer side effects. This article reviews clinical evidence for glutamate receptor modulators: non-competitive NMDA antagonists (ketamine, memantine, dextromethorphan, AZD6765), NR2B-subunit antagonists (traxoprodil, MK-0657), glycine-site partial agonists (D-cycloserine, GLYX-13), and metabotropic glutamate receptor modulators (AZD2066, basimglurant). Preclinical targets like AMPA agonists and mGluR2/3 negative allosteric modulators are also discussed.
Current Neuropharmacology June 19, 2017 Rainer Kraehenmann 90 citations
The overlap between dreaming and psychedelic states suggests that psychedelics temporarily produce dreamlike subjective experiences, which may lead to lasting improvements in psychosocial functioning and well-being. Future clinical research should investigate how the acute dreamlike effects of psychedelics relate to therapeutic outcomes.
Current Neuropharmacology January 5, 2024 Tamar Glatman Zaretsky, Kathleen M. Jagodnik, Robert Barsic et al. 73 citations
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects an estimated 12 million U.S. adults, and many remain symptomatic despite standard psychological and pharmacological treatments. Psychedelic compounds—including psilocybin, LSD, DMT, ayahuasca, MDMA, and ketamine—are being studied as potential therapies. This comprehensive review summarizes current PTSD treatments and their shortcomings, then examines clinical studies of psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD and related disorders. For each drug, the review covers history, psychological and somatic effects, pharmacology, and safety, along with proposed mechanisms for trauma treatment. It concludes with future directions to maximize therapeutic benefit and minimize risk for individuals and communities affected by trauma.
Current Neuropharmacology March 1, 2011 Yoko Hagino, Yukio Takamatsu, Hideko Yamamoto et al. 64 citations
MDMA increases extracellular dopamine and serotonin in the striatum and prefrontal cortex of mice. In mice lacking both dopamine and serotonin transporters, the dopamine increase in the striatum is absent, while the serotonin increase is greatly reduced. In the prefrontal cortex, MDMA raises dopamine levels regardless of transporter knockout. These findings confirm that MDMA acts on both the dopamine and serotonin transporters to elevate these neurotransmitters.
Current Neuropharmacology March 1, 2011 Dominik K. Biezonski, Jerrold S. Meyer 51 citations
High doses of MDMA (Ecstasy) reduce the expression of serotonergic markers in the forebrains of rats and nonhuman primates, and neuroimaging suggests similar reductions in the serotonin transporter (SERT) in heavy human users. These effects have often been interpreted as a loss of serotonergic fibers and terminals. However, this view is challenged because MDMA usually does not trigger glial cell reactions typical of central nervous system damage. This review addresses both sides of the MDMA-neurotoxicity controversy, including recent data from a rat binge model. The findings implicate neuroregulatory mechanisms underlying MDMA-induced serotonergic dysfunction and question the need to invoke degeneration.
Current Neuropharmacology March 1, 2011 Chiharu Sogawa, Norio Sogawa, Kazumi Ohyama et al. 50 citations
Methylone, a synthetic hallucinogenic amphetamine analog similar to MDMA, inhibits the activity of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters in a concentration-dependent manner, with the strongest effect on the norepinephrine transporter, followed by dopamine and then serotonin transporters. Compared to methamphetamine, methylone is less effective at blocking dopamine and norepinephrine transporters but more effective at blocking the serotonin transporter. Methylone alone is not toxic to cells except at high concentrations, but when combined with methamphetamine, it produces a synergistic toxic effect in cells that express monoamine transporters, likely because methylone acts as a transportable substrate that inhibits transporter function.
Current Neuropharmacology August 1, 2013 Patricio Sáez‐briones, Alejandro Hernández 41 citations
MDMA (Ecstasy) produces a unique altered state of consciousness called the entactogenic syndrome, described as an open mind state, which may have therapeutic applications in psychotherapy and neuropsychiatric disorders. The pharmacological mechanism involves disruption of monoaminergic neurotransmission, but its full mechanism is not completely understood. Despite many structurally similar molecules, almost no experimental evidence shows that any analogue truly reproduces MDMA's full pharmacological profile, suggesting MDMA may be a pharmacological rarity. This review summarizes MDMA's pharmacology and the evidence from classical MDMA analogues, highlighting the need to develop better analogues.
Current Neuropharmacology November 3, 2016 Julian A. Michely, Sascha K. Manier, Achim T. Caspar et al. 36 citations
Two new psychoactive substances, 3-MeO-PCP and 3-MeOPCPy, are metabolized in rat and human liver microsomes through multiple pathways including hydroxylation, O-demethylation, and glucuronidation. Specific cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP 2B6, 2C19, 2C9, 2D6) catalyze initial metabolic steps. Because only polymorphically expressed enzymes are involved, pharmacogenomic variations may affect metabolism, though clinical data are needed to confirm relevance. Standard urine screening approaches using GC-MS, LC-MSn, and LC-HR-MS/MS can detect intake of both drugs via identified metabolites.
Current Neuropharmacology October 20, 2022 Alessio Mosca, Stefania Chiappini, Andrea Miuli et al. 30 citations
Ibogaine and noribogaine, psychedelic substances from plants of the Apocynaceae family, show some efficacy in treating substance use disorders, particularly opiate detoxification. However, their use carries concerning risks of cardiotoxicity and mortality. A meta-analysis of side effects found a significant risk of developing headaches after treatment. The evidence, drawn from case reports, randomized controlled trials, open-label studies, surveys, and observational studies, remains unclear on overall efficacy and toxicity. Further research is needed to evaluate therapeutic benefits and safety.
Current Neuropharmacology December 2, 2016 Laura Orsolini, Paul St John‐smith, Daniel Mcqueen et al. 28 citations
Multiple evolutionary mechanisms—optimal foraging, costly signaling, and reproduction at the expense of health—may jointly explain the recent spread and diffusion of the novel psychoactive substances (NPS) market, representing a reason for concern.
Current Neuropharmacology October 20, 2025 Vassilis Martiadis, Fabiola Raffone, Danilo Atripaldi et al. 21 citations
A single dose of esketamine quickly reduced suicidal thoughts and depression in people with treatment-resistant depression. Preliminary evidence suggests that men and women may respond differently, indicating that personalized treatment approaches could improve results. More research is needed to confirm these gender differences, examine long-term effects, and understand the biological reasons behind them.
Current Neuropharmacology January 14, 2021 Stefania Chiappini, Andrea Miuli, Alessio Mosca et al. 19 citations
Benzydamine, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug, is being diverted and used recreationally at high dosages (500–1500 mg) for its hallucinogenic properties. A systematic review of eleven articles from 1997–2019, including case reports, surveys, and case series, along with analysis of European adverse drug reaction reports from 2005–2020, found three reported abuse cases. The findings suggest healthcare professionals should be aware of potential misuse and that emergency physicians should consider benzydamine abuse when patients present with psychotic symptoms.
Current Neuropharmacology February 20, 2025 Alessio Mosca, Stefania Chiappini, Gianluca Mancusi et al. 3 citations
Abusing certain over-the-counter medications can trigger psychotic symptoms such as paranoia, hallucinations, and thought disorders. Antihistamines, dextromethorphan, and other OTC drugs are implicated. Dextromethorphan misuse is especially linked to chronic psychosis, while other substances more often cause acute substance-induced psychosis. The review analyzed 46 relevant studies from an initial pool of 2,677 articles, highlighting the need for greater awareness and interventions to address OTC drug misuse and its psychiatric consequences.