Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Clinical features of sensitization to methamphetamine observed in patients with methamphetamine dependence and
Hiroshi Ujike1, Mitsumoto Sato
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama, Japan. hujike@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
Methamphetamine (METH) has been the most popular drug of abuse in Japan for more than 50 years, resulting in serious health and social issues. Most adult abusers in Japan consume only METH; multiple-substance abusers are rare. This unusual aspect of drug abuse makes it possible to observe clearly the sequential alteration of psychiatric symptoms induced by METH without modification by other illegal drugs. Clinical investigation reveals three core characteristics of METH abuse: (1) progressive qualitative alteration in mental symptoms from a nonpsychotic to a prepsychotic to a severely psychotic state; (2) enhanced vulnerability to relapse of psychosis; and (3) very long duration of the vulnerability to relapse. These findings indicate that the phenomenon of sensitization to METH develops during abuse and plays a key role in the susceptibility to and onset of psychosis and in the refractory process. Molecular findings using animal sensitization models may facilitate a better understanding of, and open the way for innovative therapies for, METH psychosis and also chronic schizophrenia.
Related Concept Videos
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Hallucinations
Hallucinations in...
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids

