title: Methamphetamine use: a comprehensive review of molecular, preclinical and clinical findings.
abstract: Methamphetamine (MA) is a highly addictive psychostimulant drug that principally affects the monoamine neurotransmitter systems of the brain and results in feelings of alertness, increased energy and euphoria. The drug is particularly popular with young adults, due to its wide availability, relatively low cost, and long duration of psychoactive effects. Extended use of MA is associated with many health problems that are not limited to the central nervous system, and contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in drug users. Numerous studies, using complementary techniques, have provided evidence that chronic MA use is associated with substantial neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment. These pathological effects of the drug, combined with the addictive properties of MA, contribute to a spectrum of psychosocial issues that include medical and legal problems, at-risk behaviors and high societal costs, such as public health consequences, loss of family support and housing instability. Treatment options include pharmacological, psychological or combination therapies. The present review summarizes the key findings in the literature spanning from molecular through to clinical effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Panenka
authors.forename: Ric M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Procyshyn
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lecomte
authors.forename: G William
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: MacEwan
authors.forename: Sean W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Honer
authors.forename: Alasdair M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Barr
mesh_terms: D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine