Mephedrone – a synthetic derivative of cathinone

Abstract Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are a very diverse group of recreational drugs that mimic effects of classic drugs of abuse and, at least at the beginning, are not usually prohibited. Representative of this group is mephedrone – a cathinone derivative. It is widely used as a recreational drug, particularly among club guests. Mephedrone`s effects are compared to effects of cocaine and MDMA but are more short-lived and include: psychostimulation, enhanced empathy, reduced feeling of tiredness, euphoria, hallucinations. This drug also exerts adverse effects, such as: anxiety, delusions, paranoia, psychosis, increased body temperature, elevated blood pressure, sleep disturbances. According to surveys performed on mephedrone users, it may be addictive. Those findings confirms a growing number of behavioural and molecular studies on animals. Mephedrone acts mainly via increasing monoamine transmission through increasing release of dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline into synaptic cleft, inhibiting their re-uptake and reducing their metabolism. However, participation of other transmitters, modulators and pathways are investigated, including glutamate and nitric oxide. Favorable routes of administering mephedrone is intranasal and per os. Moreover, most often drug users use it in a binge way, e.g. taking repeated doses of a drug in a short period of time. According to animal studies, this pattern of mephedrone use leaves more neural injuries than taking it regularly, but in smaller doses. Our aim was to present a short, but essential, overview of the current knowledge on mephedrone, focusing on its effects, mechanism of action, animal studies evaluating its influence on the brain structures, toxicity and pharmacokinetics.