Amphetamine-related drugs neurotoxicity in humans and in experimental animals: Main mechanisms.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to summarize the neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects of MDMA and METH, along with their behavioral and neurological consequences.
Results Summary
The study found that MDMA and METH cause neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects in dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons, leading to behavioral changes and neurological damage in both animals and humans.
Population
Rodents, non-human primates, and humans.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
amphetamine-related drugs | increase | abuse | - | - | have the potential for | #1 |
amphetamine-related drugs | increase | neurotoxic effects | - | - | may also elicit | #2 |
amphetamine-related drugs | increase | neuroinflammatory effects | - | - | may also elicit | #3 |
MDMA | increase | dopaminergic neurons | rodents | - | neurotoxic potentials to | #4 |
MDMA | increase | serotonergic neurons | rodents | - | neurotoxic potentials to | #5 |
MDMA | increase | dopaminergic neurons | non-human primates | - | neurotoxic potentials to | #6 |
MDMA | increase | serotonergic neurons | non-human primates | - | neurotoxic potentials to | #7 |
METH | increase | dopaminergic neurons | rodents | - | neurotoxic potentials to | #8 |
METH | increase | serotonergic neurons | rodents | - | neurotoxic potentials to | #9 |
METH | increase | dopaminergic neurons | non-human primates | - | neurotoxic potentials to | #10 |
METH | increase | serotonergic neurons | non-human primates | - | neurotoxic potentials to | #11 |
MDMA | increase | neurotoxic effects | - | - | mediated | #12 |
MDMA | increase | neuroinflammatory effects | - | - | mediated | #13 |
METH | increase | neurotoxic effects | - | - | mediated | #14 |
METH | increase | neuroinflammatory effects | - | - | mediated | #15 |
MDMA | increase | behavioral changes | experimental animals | - | elicited | #16 |
MDMA | increase | behavioral changes | humans | - | elicited | #17 |
METH | increase | behavioral changes | experimental animals | - | elicited | #18 |
METH | increase | behavioral changes | humans | - | elicited | #19 |
amphetamine-related drugs | increase | neuropsychological consequences | - | - | associated with | #20 |
amphetamine-related drugs | increase | neurological consequences | - | - | associated with | #21 |
amphetamine-related drugs | increase | neuronal damage | - | - | associated with | #22 |
Amphetamine-related drugs, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (METH), are popular recreational psychostimulants. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that, besides having the potential for abuse, amphetamine-related drugs may also elicit neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects. The neurotoxic potentials of MDMA and METH to dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons have been clearly demonstrated in both rodents and non-human primates. This review summarizes the species-specific cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in MDMA and METH-mediated neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects, along with the most important behavioral changes elicited by these substances in experimental animals and humans. Emphasis is placed on the neuropsychological and neurological consequences associated with the neuronal damage. Moreover, we point out the gap in our knowledge and the need for developing appropriate therapeutic strategies to manage the neurological problems associated with amphetamine-related drug abuse.