Methamphetamine, neurotransmitters and neurodevelopment

Physiol Res. 2021 Dec 31;70(S3):S301-S315. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.934821.

Abstract

Methamphetamine (MA), as massively abused psychoactive stimulant, has been associated with many neurological diseases. It has various potent and neurotoxic properties. There are many mechanisms of action that contribute to its neurotoxic and degenerative effects, including excessive neurotransmitter (NEU) release, blockage of NEU uptake transporters, degeneration of NEU receptors, process of oxidative stress etc. MA intoxication is caused by blood-brain barrier disruption resulted from MA-induced oxidation stress. In our laboratory we constantly work on animal research of MA. Our current interest is to investigate processes of MA-induced alteration in neurotransmission, especially during development of laboratory rat. This review will describe current understanding in role of NEUs, which are affected by MA-induced neurotoxicity caused by altering the action of NEUs in the central nervous system (CNS). It also briefly brings information about NEUs development in critical periods of development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Central Nervous System / drug effects*
  • Central Nervous System / growth & development
  • Central Nervous System / metabolism
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Methamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Neurogenesis / drug effects*
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology*
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / metabolism
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / pathology
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / toxicity*
  • Rats
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects*

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Methamphetamine