Pathways of methamphetamine toxicity

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008 Oct:1139:177-85. doi: 10.1196/annals.1432.013.

Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH) is a drug of abuse which is neurotoxic for the nigrostriatal system. METH-induced neurodegeneration involves production of reactive oxygen species, triggering autophagic vacuoles within nigral neurons of chronic abusers of METH. In fact, Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is a critical protein for the neurotoxic effects of METH on DA neurons. Moreover, mutations in the SOD1 gene cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a dramatic neurodegenerative disorder. In the present paper we demonstrate that in G93A transgenic mice, overexpressing the ALS-linked mutant form of SOD1, surviving motor neurons share common intracellular alterations with METH-exposed DA neurons. We hypothesize that in mutant SOD1 transgenic mice, a defective autophagy might be responsible for the neurotoxic effects seen with in nigral neurons during METH toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / enzymology
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / genetics
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology
  • Animals
  • Autophagy / physiology*
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dopamine Agents / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Methamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nerve Degeneration / genetics
  • Nerve Degeneration / metabolism
  • Nerve Degeneration / pathology
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Spinal Cord / cytology
  • Spinal Cord / metabolism*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism*
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism

Substances

  • Dopamine Agents
  • SOD1 protein, human
  • Ubiquitin
  • Methamphetamine
  • Sod1 protein, mouse
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1
  • Dopamine