Amphetamine neurotoxicity: accomplishments and remaining challenges.
In addition to the social, cultural and indirect medical complications of amphetamine analog abuse, this class of drugs is also known to have the potential to damage brain monoaminergic cells directly. Using methamphetamine as a prototype, this article provides a brief review of the history of amphetamine neurotoxicity research and the progress that has been made toward defining its characteristics. Remaining challenges for this line of investigation are outlined, and suggested avenues for addressing these challenges are provided.
McCann
Una D
UD
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. ummccann@jhmi.edu
Ricaurte
George A
GA
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D009498:Neurotoxins; D008694:Methamphetamine; D000661:Amphetamine; D004298:Dopamine