Neurology Bulletin
March 23, 2026
Azat R. Asadullin, Elvina A. Akhmetova, Ilia S. Efremov et al.
Substance use disorders remain a global public health problem. The drug market has shifted from traditional drugs to new psychoactive substances with high toxicity and addictive potential, distributed via the Internet and social media, which impedes control and increases public health risks. This review classifies modern synthetic narcotics into six groups by pharmacological mechanism: psychostimulants (amphetamine, cocaine, MDMA analogs) that increase dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels; synthetic cannabinoids (spice) that are full CB1/CB2 receptor agonists; psychedelics (LSD, DMT analogs) that are 5-HT2A receptor agonists; dissociatives (ketamine, phencyclidine analogs) that are NMDA receptor antagonists; synthetic opioids...
Neurology Bulletin
June 14, 2025
Мikhail L. Zobin
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5 and ICD-11 are analyzed. Combining categorical and dimensional models improves diagnostic validity for clinical practice, but the disorder remains heterogeneous and conceptually ambiguous. Comorbidity with addictive disorders involves overlapping symptoms that worsen overall presentation, and diagnosing BPD is challenging when substance use masks constitutional symptoms. Current treatments are reviewed, highlighting ketamine therapy's potential. In an open retrospective study of 18 patients with dual (BPD plus alcohol/cocaine use disorder) or triple (plus depression) diagnoses, three ketamine infusions over one week (0.5–0.75 mg/kg for 40 minutes) plus a booster one month later yielded preliminary results comparable to specialized psychotherapy. This suggests ketamine may offer a novel perspective on the traditionally pessimistic therapeutic outlook for BPD.
Neurology Bulletin
March 15, 2025
V. Skryabin
Interest in psychedelic research has surged, with compounds like psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, and LSD showing rapid therapeutic effects for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and OCD, especially when paired with psychotherapy. However, many studies are methodologically weak, lacking adequate placebo controls and standardized dosing, using small samples, and being influenced by contextual factors. This article critically reviews the evidence, discusses historical context including early Russian work with ketamine by E.M. Krupitsky, and urges Russian psychiatrists to assess the data carefully and develop a balanced approach that accounts for evidence quality and local regulations.
Neurology Bulletin
December 24, 2022
Vladimir D. Mendelevich, Veronika N. Konovalova, Galya M. Galiullina et al.
A 23-year-old woman with a history of using LSD, marijuana, and mephedrone over several years switched to microdoses of red fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) and stopped using other drugs on her own. Analysis of her mental and addictive status found that, despite systematic drug use, she did not meet criteria for a psychiatric or addiction diagnosis.