Núria Nadal-Gratacós

Neurochemical and Behavioral Evidence of High Abuse Liability of 3F-NEB, a Novel Synthetic Cathinone Synthetic cathinones constitute a major class of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) with significant abuse potential. Within this class, 3F-N-ethylbuph…

Excited to share our new publication: Neurochemical and Behavioral Evidence of High Abuse Liability of 3F-NEB, a Novel Synthetic Cathinone

Grateful for the support and teamwork during this journey. @msolinas.bsky.social

Read it here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Next-Generation MDMA Analogue SDMA: Pharmacological and Metabolic Insights 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, shows promise in treating depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), resulting in breakthrough status. However, concerns regarding MDMA’s abuse potential and cytotoxicity have sparked interest in developing safer analogues with similar therapeutic benefits. This study investigated the pharmacological properties of MDMA analogues in which the 1,3-benzodioxole group is replaced by a 1,3-benzoxathiole, termed SDA and SDMA, compared to MDA and MDMA through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assays. In vitro experiments using human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells examined the interactions with monoamine transporters. SDA and SDMA showed similar profiles to MDMA at the serotonin transporter (SERT), while both inhibited dopamine (DAT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters more potently, in line with in silico molecular docking fitness scores of binding. SDA and SDMA also showed increased potency in evoking efflux through SERT and DAT acting as partial releasers. SDA and SDMA exhibited a similar interaction profile with 5-HT2 receptors compared with their respective analogues. Metabolism studies revealed faster clearance rates for SDA and SDMA, in contrast to MDA and MDMA, which exhibited only weak degradation. In contrast to MDMA’s rewarding effects, SDMA did not induce significant effects in mice, while SDA only produced a significant preference for the drug-paired compartment at the lowest dose tested. Moreover, while SDMA shares similar locomotor and hyperthermic profiles as MDMA in mice, SDA induced increased hyperlocomotion and more sustained hyperthermia. In conclusion, these findings suggest that SDMA, with enhanced metabolic profiles and reduced abuse potential, is a promising candidate for further studies.

Excited to share our new paper in ACS Chemical Neuroscience! 🎉
In this work, we study MDMA analogues, exploring their pharmacological properties and potiential for safer therapeutic use. A great collaboration we’re very happy about!
Read it here: pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

The psychedelic phenethylamine 25C-NBF, a selective 5-HT2A agonist, shows psychoplastogenic properties and rapid antidepressant effects in male rodents - Molecular Psychiatry Molecular Psychiatry - The psychedelic phenethylamine 25C-NBF, a selective 5-HT2A agonist, shows psychoplastogenic properties and rapid antidepressant effects in male rodents

Our new study characterizes 25C-NBF as a selective 5-HT2A agonist with psychoplastogenic and rapid antidepressant-like effects in rodents. So excited to see this work published in Molecular Psychiatry! Read it here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Neuropharmacology of halogenated DMT analogs: psychoplastogenic and antidepressant properties of 5-Br-DMT, a psychedelic derivative with low hallucinogenic potential - Molecular Psychiatry Molecular Psychiatry - Neuropharmacology of halogenated DMT analogs: psychoplastogenic and antidepressant properties of 5-Br-DMT, a psychedelic derivative with low hallucinogenic potential

We’re thrilled to share our paper， recently published in Molecular Psychiatry: “Neuropharmacology of halogenated DMT analogs: psychoplastogenic and antidepressant properties of 5-Br-DMT, a psychedelic derivative with low hallucinogenic potential” 

Psychedelics for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder <p id="p1">Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic, relapsing mental health condition characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. According to the World Health Organizati...

Excited to share that our book chapter “Psychedelics for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder” is now published in Psychedelic Drugs – Therapeutic and Recreational Use (IntechOpen)!

Read it here: www.intechopen.com/online-first...

Huge congrats to Dr. Pol Puigseslloses for successfully defending his PhD last Friday — the first psychedelic-themed thesis from our group! 🍄 We’re proud of you! #PhDDefense #Psychedelics

Just when you think you’ve seen it all… one of my undergrads builds a 3D model of the tail suspension test 🐭💫 Honestly, moments like this remind me why I love my job.

Really proud of Martalu 👏👏 Congratulations!!

Hello Bluesky! 👋
We are a research group from @ub.edu focused on the neuropsychopharmacology of emerging psychostimulants and psychedelics.
Our work bridges neuroscience and toxicology to better understand how these compounds affect the brain🧠.