Stimulants methamphetamine

Fig. 132 Annual prevalence of stimulants/ methamphetamine use in the USA among the population age 12 and above...

The composition of the six controlled substance analogs listed above often stimulate the same areas of the brain, but are chemically quite distinct from one another. MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethampheta-mine) is a complex drug that makes simple classification difficult. Its chemical structure is related both to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. Methamphetamine bears a close resemblance to two powerful chemicals in the body, dopamine and norepinephrine, which regulate mood, memory, and movement. 

The stimulants methamphetamine, dexamphetamine, methylphenidate and pemoline have been shown to improve the main symptoms of the disorder in up to 70% of children they may be of some benefit in adults also. 

The release of NTs into the synaptic cleft from exocytosing synaptic vesicles has been outlined above. Dopamine release is promoted by the stimulants amphetamine and tobacco-derived nicotine. The amphetamine-derived stimulants methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) promote dopamine and serotonin release (Table 6.2). 

Replacement of the benzene ring of the potent indirect acting central noradrenergic stimulant methamphetamine (86) by a cyclohexane ring (compound 87) results in some... 

The best known and most common club drug is Ecstasy, or methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). A synthetic substance. Ecstasy has a psychoactive effect similar to the effects of the hallucinogen mescaline and the stimulant methamphetamine. 

Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type B (selegiline, phenelzine) Stimulants (methamphetamine, methylphenidate, pemoline)... 

Bupropion (amfebutamone) is a phenylisopropylaminoketone that is structurally related to the phenylisopropylamine CNS stimulant, methamphetamine, and the phenylisopropylaminoketone, cathinone (a constituent in khat), and the anorexiant, diethylpropion (Fig. 21.21). Although structurally similar to the CNS stimulants, bupropion exhibits distinctive different pharmacologic and therapeutic effects. The absence of the tricyclic ring system in bupropion results in a better adverse-effect profile than with the TCAs. The tertiary butyl group in bupropion prevents its N-dealkylation to metabolites that could possess sympathomimetic and/or anorexigenic properties. 

In humans, a comparative examination of the positive reinforcing effects of solvents showed that among inhalant-dependent subjects, solvents induced a more intense sensation of pleasant feelings than that induced by alcohol and nicotine in subjects addicted to these substances (Kono et al. 2001). Solvent-dependent subjects reported pleasant feelings comparable to those reported by stimulant-dependent subjects after use of methamphetamine. However,... 

The reinforeing properties of psychomotor stimulants have also been linked to the aetivation of eentral dopamine neurons and their postsynaptie reeep-tors. When the synthesis of eatecholamines is inhibited by administering alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine, an attenuation of the subjective effeets of euphoria assoeiated with psyehomotor stimulants oeeurs in man (Jonsson et al. 1971), and a bloekade of the reinforeing effects of methamphetamine occurs in animals (Pickens et al. 1968). Furthermore, low doses of dopamine antagonists will increase response rates for intravenous injections of h-amphetamine (Risner and Jones 1976 Yokel and Wise 1975 Yokel and Wise 1976). 

In view of this neurotoxicity, we will review some data relevant to this process. First, we will review data showing that methamphetamine (METH), a prototypic psychomotor stimulant, which has been widely used for nonmedical purposes at doses often a good deal higher than therapeutie doses, is neurotoxic to dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HI)) systems. Second, we will examine the evidence that other substituted phenethylamines are also neurotoxic to certain transmitter systems. Last, we will examine the behavioral and pharmacological consequences of neurotoxicity that result from exposure to some of these amphetamine-related drugs. 

The drugs 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methyl-enedioxyamphetamine (MDA) are ring-substituted derivatives of methamphetamine and amphetamine, respectively. These methylenedioxy-substituted amphetamines have been reported to exhibit both stimulant and psychotomimetic properties (Anderson et al. 1978 Braun et al. 1980 ... 

This chapter discusses the responses of these extrapyramidal neuropeptide systems to the amphetamine analogs methamphetamine (METH), methylene dioxyamphetamine (MDA), and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). These dmgs were selected for this study because they represent somewhat diverse mechanisms of action. While all three agents are able to enhance extrapyramidal serotonergic activity (Schmidt et al. 1987). only METH has been characterized as a substantial stimulant of the DA system. The effects of MDA and MDMA on extrapyramidal DA systems have not been well elucidated. Thus, evaluating and comparing the responses of the SP, NT, and Dyn extrapyramidal systems to these dmgs will help to determine the nature of the DA responses to METH, MDA, and MDMA administrations. 

Seiden, L.S. Fischman, M.W. and Schuster, C.R. Changes in brain catecholamines induced by long-term methamphetamine administration in rhesus monkeys. In Ellmwood, E.H., Jr., and Kilbey, M.M., eds. Cocaine and Other Stimulants. Vol. 21. New York Plenum Press,... 

The behavioral effects of amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, MDA, p-chloroamphetamine, and fenfluramine are not identical. Except for the last drug, all can cause some degree of behavioral stimulation, but exact behavioral effects differ markedly. More complete definition of their behavioral differences is a prerequisite to a better understanding of the mechanism(s) of these drugs. 

Rothman, R.B., Partilla, J.S., Baumann, M.H. et al. Neurochemical neutralization of methamphetamine with high-affinity nonselective inhibitors of biogenic amine transporters a pharmacological strategy for treating stimulant abuse. Synapse. 35 222, 2000. 

Witkin, J.M. Blockade of the locomotor stimulant effects of cocaine and methamphetamine by glutamate antagonists. Eife Sci. 53 PL405, 1993. 

Tong, J., Ross, B.M., Schmunk, G.A. et al. Decreased striatal dopamine D1 receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in human methamphetamine users. Am. J. Psychiatry. 160 896, 2003. 

K. Yagiuda, A. Hemmi, S. Ito, Y. Asano, Y. Fushinuki, C. Chen, and I. Karube, Development of a conductivity-based immunosensor for sensitive detection of methamphetamine (stimulant drug) in human urine. Biosens. Bioelectron. 11, 703-707 (1996). 

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