CMAJ • June 17, 2008; 178 (13). doi:10.1503/cmaj.071675.
© 2008 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
All editorial matter in CMAJ represents the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Canadian Medical Association.
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Mechanisms and innovations

Pharmacologic mechanisms of crystal meth

Stephen J. Kish, PhD

Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto, and the Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont.

Correspondence to: Dr. Stephen J. Kish, Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto ON M5T 1R8; fax 416 979-6871; stephen_kish{at}camh.net

Crystal meth is a form of the stimulant drug methamphetamine that, when smoked, can rapidly achieve high concentrations in the brain. Methamphetamine causes the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin and activates the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The levels of dopamine are low in the brain of some drug users, but whether this represents neuronal loss is uncertain. The areas of the brain involved in methamphetamine addiction are unknown but probably include the dopamine-rich striatum and regions that interact with the striatum. There is no medication approved for the treatment of relapses of methamphetamine addiction; however, potential therapeutic agents targeted to dopamine and nondopamine (e.g., opioid) systems are in clinical testing.


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eLetters:

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Abuse of crystal meth
Joseph Caplan
CMAJ, 23 Jun 2008 [Full text]
References and Rights
Mark R Dube
CMAJ, 14 Jul 2008 [Full text]
Response to Dr. Dube
Stephen J Kish
CMAJ, 14 Jul 2008 [Full text]
Re: Abuse of crystal meth
Stephen J Kish
CMAJ, 14 Jul 2008 [Full text]