William E. Fantegrossi
Professor
Also affiliated: University of Maryland, Baltimore (2024); National Institutes of Health (1996–2016); United States Department of Justice (2024); Drug Enforcement Administration (2024); National Institute on Drug Abuse (2016); Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2020); Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (1996); Emory University (2005–2010); City University of New York (2010); American University (1998); Virginia Commonwealth University (2014); University of Michigan (1999–2011); University of Arkansas Medical Center (2013–2019); Hunter College (2010); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (1997); Michigan Medicine (2003–2011); National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2016); Emory National Primate Research Center (2005–2010); University of Pennsylvania (2020); Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (1995)
Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Medicine
Research Areas
Biomedical Subjects
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
William E. Fantegrossi's research focuses on the pharmacology and toxicology of drugs of abuse, particularly novel psychoactive substances. He holds the designation of a high-impact researcher, evidenced by his h-index of 41 and over 5,200 citations across 167 publications. His work has been supported by federal grants totaling $864,148 from the NIH, including funding for studies on the abuse-related and neurocognitive consequences of halogenated arylcyclohexylamines and a training grant in systems pharmacology and toxicology.
Fantegrossi's research group investigates the mechanisms of action and metabolic profiles of substances such as synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., JWH-018, JWH-073) and cathinones (e.g., MDPV), often referred to as "Spice" and "bath salts." His publications explore the receptor binding affinities and in vivo effects of these compounds and their metabolites in both animal models and human urine samples. He also studies the behavioral pharmacology of hallucinogens, including compounds like 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine.
His collaborations include work with Brenda M. Gannon, Hannah E. Shaw, Jeffery H. Moran, and Lauren R. Fitzgerald, all from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, with whom he has co-authored multiple publications. Fantegrossi leads an active laboratory and research group dedicated to understanding the complex effects and potential harms associated with emerging drugs.
Metrics
- h-index: 41
- Publications: 168
- Citations: 5,234
Positions
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Professor 2007–presentUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Medicine Institutional directory
Selected Publications
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Interoceptive effects of N1-substituted lysergamides in rats: Role of agonist affinity at 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors and in vivo metabolism to lysergic acid diethylamide (2026)
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Behavioral and Pharmacokinetic Implications of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist and Benzodiazepine Co-Administration in C57BL/6 Mice (Abstract ID: 221452) (2026)
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Effects of Psychedelics Lysergic Acid Diethylamide and R (–)-2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Iodoamphetamine on Oral Opioid Consumption and Naloxone-Precipitated Withdrawal in Male C57Bl/6J Mice (2026)
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Outpacing Emerging Drug Threats: Validation of ToxBox Kits That Automate LC-MS/MS Analyses (2026)
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Abuse potential assessment of novel central nervous system active and psychedelic substances for controlled substances act scheduling recommendations (2025)
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Effects of psychostimulants on locomotor activity in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse: implications for comorbid autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (2025)
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In vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of fentanyl analogs (2025)
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Effects of orally self-administered furanyl fentanyl and acryl fentanyl in mice: antinociception, dependence and withdrawal, and defense of consumption (2025)
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Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists exacerbate fentanyl-elicited respiratory depression and confer resistance to naloxone rescue in mice (2025)
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NAPQI is absent in the mouse brain after sub-hepatotoxic and hepatotoxic doses of acetaminophen (2025)
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DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS RELEVANT TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND TOXICITY (2025)
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A “Furious” Effort to Develop Novel 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-Like Therapeutics (2024)
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Respiratory Depressant Effects of Fentanyl in Combination With Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists: A Potential Mechanism for “Narcan-Resistant” Overdose (2024)
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Erratum to “Effects of ambient temperature on locomotor activity and place conditioning elicited by abused psychostimulants in mice: Role of 3,4-methylenedioxy moiety” [Drug Alcohol Depend. 250 (2023) 110917] (2024)
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Phencyclidine-Like Abuse Liability and Psychosis-Like Neurocognitive Effects of Novel Arylcyclohexylamine Drugs of Abuse in Rodents (2024)
Federal Grants 2 $864,148 total
Abuse-related and neurocognitive consequences of halogenated arylcyclohexylamines.
Grants & Funding
As listed on this researcher's institutional profile. Federal awards with verified records are shown above.
- Translational Training in Addiction NIH/Nat. Inst. on Drug Abuse Principal Investigator
- Effects of self-administered MDMA on brain and behavior in rhesus monkeys NIH Principal Investigator
- In vivo pharmacological studies for abuse liability testing - Continuation U.S. Food and Drug Administration Principal Investigator
- Translational training in addiction NIH/NIDA Other Key Personnel
- INTRAVENOUS SELF ADMINISTRATION OF MDMA NIH Principal Investigator
- Synthetic Cannabinoid Toxicity: Role of Biotransformation NIH Co-Investigator
- Evaluation of Hallucinogenic Substances using the Drug Discrimination Assay US Department of Justice Principal Investigator
- Evaluation of enantiomer combinations of MDXX drugs in mouse models of autism PharmAla Biotech Principal Investigator
- Antibody Gene Therapy for Methamphetamine Abuse NIH Co-Investigator
- Pharmacology and Therapy for MDPV and alpha-PVP Like Drugs of Abuse NIH/Nat. Inst. on Drug Abuse Co-Investigator
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
- Distinct pharmacology and metabolism of K2 synthetic cannabinoids compared to Δ9-THC: Mechanism underlying greater toxicity?
- Phase I Hydroxylated Metabolites of the K2 Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-018 Retain In Vitro and In Vivo Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Affinity and Activity
- Quantitative Measurement of JWH-018 and JWH-073 Metabolites Excreted in Human Urine
- Monohydroxylated metabolites of the K2 synthetic cannabinoid JWH-073 retain intermediate to high cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) affinity and exhibit neutral antagonist to partial agonist activity
- Forensic investigation of K2, Spice, and “bath salt” commercial preparations: A three-year study of new designer drug products containing synthetic cannabinoid, stimulant, and hallucinogenic compounds
Showing 5 of 28 shared publications
- Distinct pharmacology and metabolism of K2 synthetic cannabinoids compared to Δ9-THC: Mechanism underlying greater toxicity?
- Phase I Hydroxylated Metabolites of the K2 Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-018 Retain In Vitro and In Vivo Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Affinity and Activity
- Quantitative Measurement of JWH-018 and JWH-073 Metabolites Excreted in Human Urine
- Monohydroxylated metabolites of the K2 synthetic cannabinoid JWH-073 retain intermediate to high cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) affinity and exhibit neutral antagonist to partial agonist activity
- Forensic investigation of K2, Spice, and “bath salt” commercial preparations: A three-year study of new designer drug products containing synthetic cannabinoid, stimulant, and hallucinogenic compounds
Showing 5 of 19 shared publications
- In vivo Effects of Abused ‘Bath Salt’ Constituent 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in Mice: Drug Discrimination, Thermoregulation, and Locomotor Activity
- Stereoselective Effects of Abused “Bath Salt” Constituent 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone in Mice: Drug Discrimination, Locomotor Activity, and Thermoregulation
- In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of the Alkaloid Nuciferine
- Cocaine-Like Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Mephedrone and Naphyrone in Mice
- Effects of orally self-administered bath salt constituent 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in mice
Showing 5 of 18 shared publications
- Distinct pharmacology and metabolism of K2 synthetic cannabinoids compared to Δ9-THC: Mechanism underlying greater toxicity?
- Quantitative Measurement of JWH-018 and JWH-073 Metabolites Excreted in Human Urine
- Monohydroxylated metabolites of the K2 synthetic cannabinoid JWH-073 retain intermediate to high cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) affinity and exhibit neutral antagonist to partial agonist activity
- Forensic investigation of K2, Spice, and “bath salt” commercial preparations: A three-year study of new designer drug products containing synthetic cannabinoid, stimulant, and hallucinogenic compounds
- Targeted Metabolomic Approach for Assessing Human Synthetic Cannabinoid Exposure and Pharmacology
Showing 5 of 16 shared publications
- In vivo effects of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 and phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC in mice: Inhalation versus intraperitoneal injection
- Repeated administration of phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC or synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 induces tolerance to hypothermia but not locomotor suppression in mice, and reduces CB1 receptor expression and function in a brain region-specific manner
- In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of the Alkaloid Nuciferine
- Δ9-THC exposure attenuates aversive effects and reveals appetitive effects of K2/‘Spice’ constituent JWH-018 in mice
- Phencyclidine-like in vivo effects of methoxetamine in mice and rats
Showing 5 of 15 shared publications
- Pro-psychotic effects of synthetic cannabinoids: interactions with central dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate systems
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Effects of 5-HT2A receptor agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine on alcohol consumption in Long–Evans rats
- Phencyclidine-like in vivo effects of methoxetamine in mice and rats
- Repeated administration of synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone persistently increases impulsive choice in rats
Showing 5 of 15 shared publications
- In Utero Exposure to Norbuprenorphine, a Major Metabolite of Buprenorphine, Induces Fetal Opioid Dependence and Leads to Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
- Effects of orally self-administered bath salt constituent 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in mice
- Metabolites of Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PINACA Retain Affinity, Act as High Efficacy Agonists and Exhibit Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties at CB1 Receptors
- Repeated administration of synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone persistently increases impulsive choice in rats
- The synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone increases impulsive action in rats
Showing 5 of 13 shared publications
- In vivo Effects of Abused ‘Bath Salt’ Constituent 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in Mice: Drug Discrimination, Thermoregulation, and Locomotor Activity
- Interaction of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C Receptors in R(−)-2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine-Elicited Head Twitch Behavior in Mice
- Stereoselective Effects of Abused “Bath Salt” Constituent 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone in Mice: Drug Discrimination, Locomotor Activity, and Thermoregulation
- Effects of orally self-administered bath salt constituent 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in mice
- Role of monoaminergic systems and ambient temperature in bath salts constituent 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV)-elicited hyperthermia and locomotor stimulation in mice
Showing 5 of 11 shared publications
- Synthetic Cannabinoids: Pharmacology, Behavioral Effects, and Abuse Potential
- Pharmacological and Toxicological Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoids and Their Metabolites
- Synthetic Pot: Not Your Grandfather’s Marijuana
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Convulsant Effects of Abused Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-018 and 5F-AB-PINACA Are Mediated by Agonist Actions at CB1 Receptors in Mice
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
- Phase I Hydroxylated Metabolites of the K2 Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-018 Retain In Vitro and In Vivo Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Affinity and Activity
- In vivo Effects of Abused ‘Bath Salt’ Constituent 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in Mice: Drug Discrimination, Thermoregulation, and Locomotor Activity
- Interaction of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C Receptors in R(−)-2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine-Elicited Head Twitch Behavior in Mice
- AM-251 and rimonabant act as direct antagonists at mu-opioid receptors: Implications for opioid/cannabinoid interaction studies
- Differential Drug–Drug Interactions of the Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073: Implications for Drug Abuse Liability and Pain Therapy
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
- Quantitative Measurement of JWH-018 and JWH-073 Metabolites Excreted in Human Urine
- Forensic investigation of K2, Spice, and “bath salt” commercial preparations: A three-year study of new designer drug products containing synthetic cannabinoid, stimulant, and hallucinogenic compounds
- Quantitative Measurement of Acetyl Fentanyl and Acetyl Norfentanyl in Human Urine by LC-MS/MS
- Targeted Metabolomic Approach for Assessing Human Synthetic Cannabinoid Exposure and Pharmacology
- Altered metabolism of synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 by human cytochrome P450 2C9 and variants
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
- Pro-psychotic effects of synthetic cannabinoids: interactions with central dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate systems
- Characterization of structurally novel G protein biased CB 1 agonists: Implications for drug development
- Convulsant Effects of Abused Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-018 and 5F-AB-PINACA Are Mediated by Agonist Actions at CB1 Receptors in Mice
- In Utero Exposure to Norbuprenorphine, a Major Metabolite of Buprenorphine, Induces Fetal Opioid Dependence and Leads to Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
- Atypical Pharmacodynamic Properties and Metabolic Profile of the Abused Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-PINACA: Potential Contribution to Pronounced Adverse Effects Relative to Δ9-THC
Showing 5 of 9 shared publications
- Phase I Hydroxylated Metabolites of the K2 Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-018 Retain In Vitro and In Vivo Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Affinity and Activity
- Monohydroxylated metabolites of the K2 synthetic cannabinoid JWH-073 retain intermediate to high cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) affinity and exhibit neutral antagonist to partial agonist activity
- AM-251 and rimonabant act as direct antagonists at mu-opioid receptors: Implications for opioid/cannabinoid interaction studies
- In vivo effects of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073 and phytocannabinoid Δ9-THC in mice: Inhalation versus intraperitoneal injection
- Differential Drug–Drug Interactions of the Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073: Implications for Drug Abuse Liability and Pain Therapy
Showing 5 of 8 shared publications
- Forensic investigation of K2, Spice, and “bath salt” commercial preparations: A three-year study of new designer drug products containing synthetic cannabinoid, stimulant, and hallucinogenic compounds
- Quantitative Measurement of Acetyl Fentanyl and Acetyl Norfentanyl in Human Urine by LC-MS/MS
- Targeted Metabolomic Approach for Assessing Human Synthetic Cannabinoid Exposure and Pharmacology
- Altered metabolism of synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 by human cytochrome P450 2C9 and variants
- In Utero Exposure to Norbuprenorphine, a Major Metabolite of Buprenorphine, Induces Fetal Opioid Dependence and Leads to Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Showing 5 of 8 shared publications
- Effects of exposure to amphetamine derivatives on passive avoidance performance and the central levels of monoamines and their metabolites in mice: Correlations between behavior and neurochemistry
- Endocrine and Neurochemical Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Its Stereoisomers in Rhesus Monkeys
- Escalation of food-maintained responding and sensitivity to the locomotor stimulant effects of cocaine in mice
- Discriminative Stimulus Effects of Psychostimulants and Hallucinogens in S(+)-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and R(−)-MDMA Trained Mice
- Repeated administration of synthetic cathinone 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone persistently increases impulsive choice in rats
Showing 5 of 8 shared publications
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