Pharmacologic mechanisms of crystal meth.

Full Abstract

Crystal meth is a form of the stimulant drug methamphetamine that, when smoked, can rapidly achieve high concentrations in the brain. Methamphetamine causes the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin and activates the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The levels of dopamine are low in the brain of some drug users, but whether this represents neuronal loss is uncertain. The areas of the brain involved in methamphetamine addiction are unknown but probably include the dopamine-rich striatum and regions that interact with the striatum. There is no medication approved for the treatment of relapses of methamphetamine addiction; however, potential therapeutic agents targeted to dopamine and nondopamine (e.g., opioid) systems are in clinical testing.

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Author information

Author/s: Kish, Stephen J (SJ);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. stephen_kish(-atsign-)camh.net

Grants: 07186 (Agency:United States PHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Review

Journal: CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne (CMAJ), published in Canada. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 178 (issue 13) : pp 1679-82

Dates: Created 2008/06/18; Completed 2008/07/03; Revised 2008/09/25;

PMID: 18559805, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: CMAJ. 2008 Sep 9;179(6):558-9; author reply 559. (PMID: 18779530)

CommentIn: CMAJ. 2008 Sep 9;179(6):558; author reply 558. (PMID: 18779532)

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