Cathinone is an active ingredient in the leaves of the Khat shrub. Cathinone 
affects behavior, neurochemistry and electrophysiology in a manner similar to 
the stimulants amphetamine, cocaine and methylphenidate. The present study 
extended these studies by evaluating the effects of (+/-)cathinone on dopamine 
(DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-containing neurons in several regions of the 
rat brain in vivo. An index of the rate of synthesis of DA and 5-HT in vivo was 
determined in the nuclei caudatus putamen (CP), accumbens (NA), amygdaloideus 
centralis (AC), septi lateralis (SL), preopticus pars suprachiasmatica (PSCN) 
and dorsomedialis (hypothalami; DMN) of male rats (175-225 g) by measuring the 
concentration of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) 
after the administration of NSD 1015 (100 mg/kg, i.p.) an inhibitor of aromatic 
L-amino acid decarboxylase. Concentrations of DA, 5-HT and their major 
metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid 
(5-HIAA), respectively, were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography 
coupled to an electrochemical detector. Cathinone decreased levels of DOPAC in a 
time- and dose-related manner in the caudatus putamen, accumbens, amygdaloideus 
centralis and septi lateralis with the peak effect occurring 30-60 min after a 
dose of 6 mg/kg (i.p.). Cathinone had no effect on DOPAC in the preopticus pars 
suprachiasmatica or dorsomedialis (hypothalami). The drug also decreased the 
accumulation of DOPA in the caudatus putamen, accumbens, amygdaloideus centralis 
and septi lateralis, but in the preopticus pars suprachiasmatica and 
dorsomedialis (hypothalami), there was no effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 
WORDS)