title: Methamphetamine: Effects on the brain, gut and immune system.
abstract: Methamphetamine (METH) is a powerful central nervous system stimulant which elevates mood, alertness, energy levels and concentration in the short-term. However, chronic use and/or at higher doses METH use often results in psychosis, depression, delusions and violent behavior. METH was formerly used to treat conditions such as obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but now is primarily used recreationally. Its addictive nature has led to METH abuse becoming a global problem. At a cellular level, METH exerts a myriad of effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems, immune system and the gastrointestinal system. Here we present how these effects might be linked and their potential contribution to the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders. In the long term, this pathway could be targeted therapeutically to protect people from the ill effects of METH use. This model of METH use may also provide insight into how gut, nervous and immune systems might break down in other conditions that may also benefit from therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Immunology in Chronic Diseases Program, Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Monica D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.affiliation: Immunology in Chronic Diseases Program, Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tangalakis
authors.affiliation: Immunology in Chronic Diseases Program, Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antonipillai
authors.affiliation: Immunology in Chronic Diseases Program, Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Lily
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stojanovska
authors.affiliation: Immunology in Chronic Diseases Program, Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Kulmira
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nurgali
authors.affiliation: Immunology in Chronic Diseases Program, Centre for Chronic Disease, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: Vasso.Apostolopoulos@vu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Vasso
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Apostolopoulos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003702:Delusions / Q000139:chemically induced; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Gastrointestinal system; Ice; Immune system; Methamphetamine; Nervous system