Behavioral Sensitization Following Concurrent Exposure to Mephedrone and d-Amphetamine in Female Mice

Authors

Michael D. Berquist II, Western Michigan UniversityFollow
M. Melissa Peet, Western Michigan UniversityFollow
Lisa Baker, Western Michigan UniversityFollow

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Lisa Baker

Department

Psychology

Presentation Date

4-11-2014

Document Type

Poster

Abstract

Introduction

• Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is an active constituent of the illicit designer drugs commonly known as “bath salts”. In recent years, the recreational use and abuse of mephedrone and related synthetic methcathinones have dramatically increased in popularity in the U.S. and U. K. (e.g., Dybdal-Hargreaves et al., 2013; Winstock et al., 2010).

• Mephedrone consumption is associated with a number of adverse side effects such as palpitations, bruxism, agitation (Winstock et al., 2011; Wood et al., 2010; Dargan et al., 2010), paranoia, hallucinations, aggressive/violent behavior, excited delirium, and psychosis (Ross et al., 2012).

• Mephedrone may facilitate deleterious effects of other drugs of abuse if consumed concurrently (e.g., Angoa-Perez et al., 2013).

• The current study investigated abuse liability of a mixture of mephedrone and d-amphetamine using a behavioral sensitization paradigm in female mice

WMU ScholarWorks Citation

Berquist, Michael D. II; Peet, M. Melissa; and Baker, Lisa, "Behavioral Sensitization Following Concurrent Exposure to Mephedrone and d-Amphetamine in Female Mice" (2014). Research and Creative Activities Poster Day. 88.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/grad_research_posters/88