Neurochemical similarities between d,l-cathinone and d-amphetamine.
Cathinone, the principal alkaloid of Khat, was compared to the psychomotor stimulant d-amphetamine on a number of neurochemical measures. Like d-amphetamine, d,l-cathinone released and blocked the uptake of tritiated dopamine (DA) in synaptosomal preparations. In addition, repeated high doses of d,l-cathinone produced long-lasting DA depletions in various rat brain regions and decreased the number of synaptosomal DA uptake sites in a manner similar to that seen after repeated d-amphetamine administration. Importantly, this DA neurotoxic effect of d,l-cathinone, like that of d-amphetamine, is selective since regional brain levels of norepinephrine (NE) or serotonin (5-HT) are not altered on a long-term basis by repeated administration of d,l-cathinone. These findings are discussed with reference to the current practice of Khat leaf chewing by people in north-eastern Africa.
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D014316:Tritium
D000470:Alkaloids; D014316:Tritium; D012701:Serotonin; C023665:cathinone; D003913:Dextroamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine