Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025
09:16
A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
15.2K
Pharmacological Treatments for Methamphetamine Use Disorder: Current Status and Future Targets.
1Department of Psychological Science, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, USA.
Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation
|September 4, 2024
Summary
Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder lacks effective treatments. This review explores molecular targets and potential therapies, highlighting the need for clinical trials and personalized approaches for METH addiction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Illicit methamphetamine (METH) use and overdose deaths are increasing.
- Currently, no pharmacotherapies exist to reduce METH cravings or promote abstinence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review molecular targets tested for METH's physiological, cognitive, and reinforcing effects.
- To identify potential pharmacotherapies for METH use disorder (MUD).
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) studies.
- Analysis of drug efficacy in assays measuring METH's effects.
Main Results:
- Existing drugs (e.g., modafinil, baclofen) show limited success in human MUD treatment.
- Novel targets like vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitors show preclinical promise.
- Future research needs clinical validation and exploration of sex differences and pharmacogenetics.
Conclusions:
- Effective pharmacotherapies for METH use disorder are urgently needed.
- Further research into novel molecular targets and personalized treatment strategies is crucial.
- Clinical trials are essential to validate preclinical findings for METH addiction treatment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
448
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
448
01:24CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
167
CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its...
167
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
205
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
205
01:26Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
113
Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation.
113
01:25Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents
1.5K
Indirect-acting adrenergic agonists potentiate the effects of endogenous catecholamines through different mechanisms without directly binding to adrenoceptors.
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral...
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral...
1.5K
01:21Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
1.0K
Certain drugs can affect how neurotransmitters called catecholamines, are released or taken back up in the adrenergic neuron. They can have different effects on the body's sympathetic transmission. Reserpine, a natural compound found in the Rauwolfia shrub, blocks a transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which leads to a buildup of catecholamines in the cell and reduces sympathetic transmission. Another drug called guanethidine works in multiple ways, including blocking...
1.0K