[Driving under the influence of amphetamine and metamphetamine].
BACKGROUND
The CNS stimulatory agents amphetamine and methamphetamine are often detected in blood samples from apprehended subjects driving under the influence of drugs.


METHODS
Relevant literature was identified through searches in PubMed and Google Scholar. The current state of knowledge regarding effects of amphetamines on traffic behaviour is reviewed and discussed.


RESULTS
Limited epidemiological data and a small number of experimental studies using low doses of amphetamines are available. Low amphetamine doses have been associated with enhanced performance in studies of sleep-deprived subjects. Theoretical considerations and empirical observations suggest that higher doses may impede performance, but not in accordance with usual concentration/effect relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a conspicuous lack of data on how to handle cases of driving under the influence of amphetamines.
Lia
Kjersti
K
Institutt for laboratoriemedisin, barne- og kvinnesykdommer Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet.
Spigset
Olav
O
Slørdal
Lars
L
D000661:Amphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001334:Automobile Driving; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine; D000661:Amphetamine; D003913:Dextroamphetamine