scholarly journals Novel Psychoactive Substances in Young Adults with and without Psychiatric Comorbidities

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Martinotti ◽  
Matteo Lupi ◽  
Tiziano Acciavatti ◽  
Eduardo Cinosi ◽  
Rita Santacroce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Psychiatric Diseases ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Young Population ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Paired Sample ◽  
Psychiatric Population ◽  
Substances Of Abuse

Objective. Comorbidities between psychiatric diseases and consumption of traditional substances of abuse (alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and cocaine) are common. Nevertheless, there is no data regarding the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the psychiatric population. The purpose of this multicentre survey is to investigate the consumption of a wide variety of psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric sample and in a paired sample of healthy subjects.Methods. A questionnaire has been administered, in different Italian cities, to 206 psychiatric patients aged 18 to 26 years and to a sample of 2615 healthy subjects matched for sex, gender, and living status.Results. Alcohol consumption was more frequent in the healthy young population compared to age-matched subjects suffering from mental illness (79.5% versus 70.7%;P<0.003). Conversely, cocaine and NPS use was significantly more common in the psychiatric population (cocaine 8.7% versus 4.6%;P=0.002) (NPS 9.8% versus 3%;P<0.001).Conclusions. The use of novel psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric population appears to be a frequent phenomenon, probably still underestimated. Therefore, careful and constant monitoring and accurate evaluations of possible clinical effects related to their use are necessary.

Novel psychoactive substances in a psychiatric young adults sample: A multicenter, observational study

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S311-S311
Author(s):  
M. Lupi ◽  
T. Acciavatti ◽  
S. Marini ◽  
E. Cinosi ◽  
R. Santacroce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Illicit Drugs ◽  
Synthetic Cannabinoids ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Multicenter Observational Study ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Population

IntroductionComorbidities between psychiatric diseases and consumption of traditional substances of abuse are common. Nevertheless, there is no data regarding the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in the psychiatric population.ObjectivesThe purpose of this multicentre survey is to investigate the consumption of a wide variety of psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric sample.MethodsBetween September 2013 and November 2015, a questionnaire has been administered, in ten Italian psychiatric care facilities, to a sample of 671 psychiatric patients (48.5% men; 51.5% women), aged between 18 and 26 years (mean age: 22.24).Results8.2% of the sample declared use of NPS at least once in a lifetime and 2.2% have assumed NPS in the last three months. The NPS more used were synthetic cannabinoids (4.5%), followed by methamphetamine (3.6%). The three psychiatric diagnosis with more frequent NPS consumption were bipolar disorder (23.1%), personality disorders (11.8%) and schizophrenia and related disorders (11.6%). Bipolar disorder was associated with NPS consumption (P < .001). Among the illicit drugs investigated, 31.4% of the sample was cannabis smoker and 10.7% cocaine user. Moreover, 70.6% of the sample declared alcohol use and 47.7% had binge drinking conducts. In univariate regression analysis, bipolar disorder was positive associated with binge drinking while obsessive compulsive disorder resulted negative associated.ConclusionsThe use of novel psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric population appears to be a frequent phenomenon, probably still underestimated. Bipolar disorder shows an association with NPS use. Therefore, careful and constant monitoring and accurate evaluations of possible clinical effects related to their use are necessary.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Fifteen-minute consultation: Recognition and management of the child or young person who has ingested a novel psychoactive substance

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 336-341
Author(s):  
Lee Tubman ◽  
Niall Mullen ◽  
Derek K Tracy
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Acute Management ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substance ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Functional Classes

Intoxicated children and young people (CYP) attending the paediatric emergency department (PED) are typically under the influence of alcohol or established recreational agents such as cannabis or ecstasy. The last decade or so has seen an increase in the numbers of CYP in PED who have used novel psychoactive substances (NPS). In this review, we describe four different functional classes of NPS, their legal status, clinical effects, acute management and interventions to reduce harm.

scholarly journals Knowledge and (Ab)Use in Connection with Novel Psychoactive Substances: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Iraqi Medical Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Imam ◽  
Farah Al-Mukhtar ◽  
Aisha Shafiq ◽  
Manolia Irfan ◽  
Mustafa M Saleh
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The University

BACKGROUND: The extent of (ab)use of the Novel Psychoactive substances has been thoroughly mapped in the developed world, particularly in the US, Canada, UK, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. However, there are still untapped geographic locations particularly in the developing world including the Middle East.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is observational in nature and cross-sectional in design; it is based on a survey that will aim is to estimate the level of knowledge and the extent of (ab)use of psychoactive substances, traditional and novel, in a population of undergraduate medical students from Iraq. There will be an implementation of inferential statistical analyses for the purpose of hypothesis testing. Ethical approvals were granted from the College of Medicine at the University of Baghdad and the University of Hertfordshire.RESULTS: There was some degree of knowledge in connection with psychoactive substances among a population of medical students. However, the extent of (ab)use is still minimal when compared to that of the developed countries. In general, the knowledge and the extent of NPS (ab)use did not vary substantially as the students progressed through the medical college.CONCLUSION: The use of observational analytic tools for assessing the diffusion of the phenomenon of psychoactive and novel psychoactive substances is indispensable. The extent of knowledge and (ab)use of NPS in the Middle East may still be considered minute or insignificant. Further analyses are required in the Middle East; different populations are to be targeted including; students, academics, researchers, medical and paramedical staff, psychiatric patients, prisoners, military and para-military organisations, and even terrorists.

scholarly journals Do (Ab)Users of Psychedelics Have Tendencies to Abuse High Authority? An Internet Snapshot Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 148
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Imam ◽  
Ban A. AbdulMajeed
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Communication ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Demographic Parameters ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Developed World

BACKGROUND: Hallucinogenic substances, also known as psychedelics and entheogens, represent a subset of novel psychoactive substances. The epidemiology of (ab)use and electronic commerce of Psychedelics has been well-mapped in the developed world. However, countries from the developing world are yet to be explored. Principles of psychology including thematic psychoanalysis were not implemented before in connection with psychedelics.MATERIALS & METHODS: This study is based on an internet snapshot technique; it will explore and analyse the comments of psychedelics’ (ab)users in relation to the possibility of abuse of some granted power (authority); several demographic parameters of (ab)users will be explored. The snapshot will implement thematic analysis and psychoanalysis of comments found on drug fora and social communication media.RESULTS: The highest contribution of psychedelic users existed in the developed world, while the developing countries including the Middle East contributed the least. More than half (57%) of Psychedelic (ab)users tend to misuse power, which may indicate an existing psychopathology.CONCLUSION: Psychedelic users tend to mishandle the use of authority. The prevalence of psychedelic (ab)users in the Middle East is considered to be minimal. Additional analyses are required and in different populations of students, academics, medical professionals, psychiatric patients, prisoners, terrorists, and military organisations.

Prospettiva e Valore della matrice Cheratinica nella valutazione dell'utilizzo di Nuove Sostanze Psicoattive nella popolazione che afferisce ai SERD

MISSION ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
Concettina Varango ◽  
Francesca Musarella ◽  
Mara Cella ◽  
Antonella Varango
Keyword(s):  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances

Questo articolo nasce dall'esigenza di informare un pi&ugrave; ampio pubblico sul pericolo rappresentato da queste sostanze, far conoscere le NPS (Novel Psychoactive substances) agli operatori del settore (personale di laboratorio, personale delle unit&agrave; di emergenza/ urgenza, operatori sanitari, ricercatori, ecc.) al fine di agevolare l'analisi di campioni sconosciuti e divulgare i dati scientifici che cominciano ad emergere da studi clinici e preclinici sui loro effetti tossici e farmacologici.&nbsp;Dal 2009 sono comparsi nel gruppo delle N.P.S., i nuovi oppioidi sintetici, molecole estremamente potenti che comportano una seria minaccia per la salute pubblica. Si tratta di prodotti dalla notevole potenza (il fentanyl, per esempio, capostipite di questa famiglia, ha un'azione circa 100 volte maggiore rispetto a quella della morfina) che vengono utilizzati sia per s&eacute; sia come adulteranti di partite di sostanze classiche, soprattutto eroina, causando scie di decessi per overdose.&nbsp;

scholarly journals Human Neuronal Cell Lines as An In Vitro Toxicological Tool for the Evaluation of Novel Psychoactive Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6785
Author(s):  
Valeria Sogos ◽  
Paola Caria ◽  
Clara Porcedda ◽  
Rafaela Mostallino ◽  
Franca Piras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Neuronal Cell Lines

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances belonging to diverse groups, designed to mimic the effects of scheduled drugs, resulting in altered toxicity and potency. Up to now, information available on the pharmacology and toxicology of these new substances is very limited, posing a considerable challenge for prevention and treatment. The present in vitro study investigated the possible mechanisms of toxicity of two emerging NPS (i) 4′-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinoexanophenone (3,4-MDPHP), a synthetic cathinone, and (ii) 2-chloro-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA), a phenethylamine. In addition, to apply our model to the class of synthetic opioids, we evaluated the toxicity of fentanyl, as a reference compound for this group of frequently abused substances. To this aim, the in vitro toxic effects of these three compounds were evaluated in dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Following 24 h of exposure, all compounds induced a loss of viability, and oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner. 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA activates apoptotic processes, while 3,4-MDPHP elicits cell death by necrosis. Fentanyl triggers cell death through both mechanisms. Increased expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase 3 activity were observed following 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and fentanyl, but not 3,4-MDPHP exposure, confirming the different modes of cell death.

scholarly journals Emergence of novel psychoactive substances among clients of a needle exchange programme in Budapest

2014 ◽  
Vol 155 (35) ◽  
pp. 1383-1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
József Rácz ◽  
Róbert Csák
Keyword(s):  
Warning System ◽  
Needle Exchange ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Blue Point ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Exchange Programme

In this paper the authors summarize experience of a drug service provider with the injecting use of novel psychoactive substances. Among clients of the needle exchange programme of Blue Point Drug Counselling and Outpatient Centre, the authors observed the spread of the novel substances since 2009. The extensive spread of the novel substances caused substantial change in injecting use patterns, thus in the usage of the needle exchange programme. The novel psychoactive substances appeared consecutively, so that this setting gave a unique opportunity to observe and track the emergence of these substances. The authors summarize the characteristics which are important for medical practice (risks, frequent use, severe psychopathological conditions) as well as special risks associated with these substances (substances with unknown composition and effect). They highlight the importance and role of the early warning system, monitoring the online sources of information and testing of samples containing novel psychoactive substances. Orv. Hetil., 2014, 155(35), 1383–1394.

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