Highlights findings from a study of former methamphetamine abusers showing evidence of impairment in areas of the brain known to influence cognition, emotion, and decision making.
Highlights research showing methamphetamine abusers may have more difficulty than nonabusers in responding with empathy and self-control to people who are experiencing intense emotions.
Describes research providing evidence that chronic methamphetamine abuse is associated with increased microglial cell activity in the brain leading to neurodegeneration.
Reports animal study findings on development of an antibody fragment that rapidly removes methamphetamine from the brain and discusses implications for treatment of overdose.
Methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant drug that is similar in structure to amphetamine. Due to its high potential for abuse, methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II drug and is available only through a prescription that cannot be refilled. Although methamphetamine can be prescribed by a doctor, its medical uses are limited, and the doses that are prescribed are much lower than those typically abused.
La metanfetamina es una droga estimulante que afecta el sistema nervioso central y es similar en estructura a la anfetamina. Debido al alto potencial que tiene para el abuso, la metanfetamina está clasificada como un fármaco de la Lista II de acuerdo a la Ley sobre Sustancias Controladas, y se puede obtener sólo por medio de prescripción médica no renovable. Aunque los médicos pueden recetar la metanfetamina, sus usos médicos son limitados y las dosis que se recetan son mucho más bajas que las que normalmente se consumen cuando se abusa.