Synthetic cathinones are among the most consumed new psychoactive substances (NPS), but their increasing number and interchangeable market make it difficult to estimate the real size of their consumption. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) through the analysis of metabolic residues of these substances in urban wastewater can provide this information. This study applied WBE for the first time to investigate the presence of 17 synthetic cathinones in four European countries. A method based on solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was developed, validated, and used to quantify the target analytes. Seven substances were found, with mephedrone and methcathinone being the most frequently detected and none of the analytes being found in Norway. Population-normalized loads were used to evaluate the pattern of use, which indicated a higher consumption in the U.K., followed by Spain and Italy, in line with the European prevalence data from population surveys. In the U.K., where an entire week was investigated, an increase of the loads was found during the weekend, indicating a preferential use in recreational contexts. This study demonstrated that WBE can be a useful additional tool to monitor the use of NPS in a population.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b02644 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Early and Mid-Term Disposition of α-PVP and its unknown Metabolites in Urine and Oral Fluid Through a Multi-Analytical Hyphenated Approach Following a Single Non-Controlled Administration to Healthy Volunteers.
AAPS J
January 2025
National Center On Addiction and Doping, National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
Nowadays, synthetic cathinones (SCs) is the second more representative subclass of New Psychoactive Substances, accounting for 104 analogues in the illegal market. Since its first report in 2011, α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (α-PVP) gained popularity among drug users, provoking an increased number of intoxications. Nonetheless, pharmacokinetics data is still limited in the literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInvestigating 3-CMC metabolism: Insights from liver microsomes and postmortem biological matrix.
Forensic Sci Int
January 2025
Laboratoire de Pharmacologie - Toxicologie, CHU de Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France; INSERM, UMR 1059, Dysfonction Vasculaire et de l'Hémostase, Université de Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France. Electronic address:
3-Chloromethcathinone (3-CMC) is a synthetic cathinone that has been identified as a new psychoactive substance (NPS) by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Despite its increasing prevalence in the recreational drug market since 2014, scientific literature on 3-CMC remains limited. This study employed a multi-step approach to investigate 3-CMC metabolism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFrom Psychoactivity to Antimicrobial Agents: Multifaceted Applications of Synthetic Cathinones and Extracts.
Molecules
December 2024
Valladolid University Foundation, Valladolid University, Paseo de Belén, 11, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
The emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the global drug market since the 2000s has posed major challenges for regulators and law enforcement agencies. Among these, synthetic cathinones have gained prominence due to their stimulant effects on the central nervous system, leading to widespread recreational use. These compounds, often marketed as alternatives to illicit stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine, have been linked to numerous cases of intoxication, addiction and death.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNMR-based structure elucidation and chiral separation of N-cyclohexylmethylone, a novel designer drug.
Forensic Sci Int
December 2024
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Graz, Schubertstraße 1, Graz A-8010, Austria. Electronic address:
Synthetic cathinones belong to one of the biggest and most popular classes of New Psychoactive Substances. Each year, new derivatives appear on the drug market, traded under various labels like "bath salts" or "legal highs". In recent years, the emergence of new cathinone derivatives, containing a cyclohexyl residue, has been observed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSafety and cognitive pharmacodynamics following dose escalations with 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC): a first in human, designer drug study.
Neuropsychopharmacology
December 2024
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
3-Methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) is a designer drug that belongs to the group of synthetic cathinones. The compound has been scheduled in many jurisdictions because of public health concerns associated with excessive use. To date, there are no clinical studies that have evaluated the risk profile of 3-MMC in the recreational range of low to moderate doses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!