The neuroprotective potential of low-dose methamphetamine in preclinical models of stroke and traumatic brain injury

• Published in: Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry Vol. 64; pp. 231 - 236
• Main Authors: Rau, Thomas, Ziemniak, John, Poulsen, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 04.01.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Brain Injuries - drug therapy; Brain Injuries - physiopathology; Brain Injuries - psychology; Cognition - drug effects; Cognition - physiology; Dopamine - metabolism; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Methamphetamine; Methamphetamine - administration & dosage; Methamphetamine - pharmacology; Neuroportection; Neuroprotective Agents - administration & dosage; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Stroke; Stroke - drug therapy; Stroke - physiopathology; Stroke - psychology; Traumatic brain injury; Bcl-2; NAT; ADHD; FDA; VMAT; AMPA; Traumatic brain injury; UTD; MRI; Neuroportection; PV; PI3K; NMDA; TBI; RHSC; Css; Stroke; BDNF; Methamphetamine; AKT; D1; IV; OGD; D2; SERT; USP; SST; DAT; PET
• ISSN: 0278-5846; 1878-4216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.02.013

Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant that was initially synthesized in 1920. Since then it has been used to treat attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), obesity and narcolepsy. However, methamphetamine has also become a major drug of abuse worldwide. Under conditions of abuse, which involve the administration of high repetitive doses, methamphetamine can produce considerable neurotoxic effects. However, recent evidence from our laboratory indicates that low doses of methamphetamine can produce robust neuroprotection when administered within 12h after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rodents. Thus, it appears that methamphetamine under certain circumstances and correct dosing can produce a neuroprotective effect. This review addresses the neuroprotective potential of methamphetamine and focuses on the potential beneficial application for TBI. •When administered acutely (within 12hours after injury) low-dose methamphetamine significantly improves cognition and functional behavior.•The neuroprotective potential of methamphetamine is highly dose dependent.•Methamphetamine mediates dose dependent neuroprotection when administered within 12h after severe TBI or stroke.