Cannabidiol alleviates methamphetamine-induced autophagy and oxidative stress by suppressing sigma 1 receptor expression.

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression is elevated in prefrontal cortex neurons, not microglia, following methamphetamine self-administration in male and female rats.

RAP-103, a multi-chemokine receptor antagonist, displays anxiolytic-like effects and normalizes methamphetamine abstinence-induced behaviors in planarians.

Protective effects of SA-31 in a psychostimulant-induced neurotoxicity model using SH-SY5Y cells.

A molecular imprinted fluorescence sensor based on EDTA-Cu quantum dots for methamphetamine recognition.

Primates as animal models for CPP research.

Modulatory function of cannabidiol on the extinction and reinstatement of methamphetamine-seeking behavior through the D2-like dopamine receptors in the dentate gyrus.

Increased activity of GSK3β in NAc D2-MSNs contributes to methamphetamine-induced conditioned place prefernence.

Portable detection system for identifying unknown liquid drugs.

As the synthetic abused drug with high addictive potential, methamphetamine (METH) and its major metabolite amphetamine (AMP) are chiral compounds. The S-enantiomer of METH is primarily abused because of its potent psychoactive effects, whereas the R-enantiomer may originate from the metabolism of selegiline, a prescription medication for Parkinson's disease. This research aimed to develop a robust and reliable analytical method to distinguish illicit METH abuse from legal selegiline therapy. A novel, simplified chiral stationary phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (CSP-LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the rapid determination of R- and S-enantiomers of METH and AMP in human hair, eliminating the need for derivatization pretreatment. Employing an Agilent Chiral-V column under isocratic conditions, the developed CSP-LC-MS/MS method achieved efficient baseline separation (resolution ≥2) and rapid quantification of the R/S enantiomers of METH and AMP within 10 min. Analysis of hair samples from three METH abusers revealed a predominance of the S-enantiomers. Conversely, only the R-enantiomer was detected in the hair of a selegiline user. This research enables precise enantiomer differentiation, offering critical insights into drug metabolism and forensic discrimination between illicit METH abuse and legitimate selegiline treatment.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) (EC2.7.1.137) is an enzyme essential for a variety of biological processes, including inflammation and neuroplasticity. There is a close, positive relationship between these biological functions and the action of psychostimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine (METH). This suggests that the inhibition of PI3K might regulate METH-induced behavior such as hyperlocomotion and stereotyped behavior. To evaluate the effects of PI3K inhibition on METH-induced behavior, mice were treated with wortmannin, a potent PI3K inhibitor, followed by METH. Horizontal locomotion, vertical rearing, and stereotyped behaviors were measured. In addition, additional experiments were conducted to examine the effects of wortmannin on other aspects of behavior. Pretreatment of mice with wortmannin (3 and 10 mg/kg) significantly inhibited METH (10 mg/kg)-induced stereotyped behavior in a dose-dependent fashion. Stereotyped biting was most robustly reduced by wortmannin, ameliorating the frequency of total stereotypy. Wortmannin (10 but not 3 mg/kg) had a significant inhibitory effect on METH (3 mg/kg)-induced hyperlocomotion. Wortmannin had no effect on other aspects of behavior relevant to emotion or memory. In conclusion, non-glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) mediated PI3K signaling pathways appear to contribute to the expression of acute METH effects on locomotion and stereotyped behavior in a manner that is different from PI3K-GSK3β mediated signaling.

ABSTRACT The discovery of illicit exchanges of “highblood” among injection drug-using youths has thrown families off balance in Mufakose. In this article, I explore the (ab)use of biomedical technologies by youths in administering crystal meth as well as the healing pathways pursued by families in cases of illness. I argue that experimenting with blood complicates understandings of meth-induced behaviors because of the meanings attached to blood in the African context. The article draws upon 6 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Mufakose among 30 crystal meth-using youths. I used deep hangouts, life histories, interactive observation, and focus group discussions.

Methamphetamine (MA), a highly potent synthetic illicit drug, poses grave threats to the global public health and societal stability. However, on-site fluorescence detection to MA (particularly those operating in the visible range─remain scarce). In this work, a boron-based ratiometric fluorescent probe, BA-FO-BA, synthesized by covalently conjugating a triarylborane derivative with fluorene is presented. Upon exposure to methylphenethylamine (MPEA, an MA simulant), the probe exhibits a 70 nm blue shift, significant fluorescence enhancement, and rapid and reversible response, accompanied by a distinct visible emission color change from blue to deep purple. This response is also validated using confiscated MA samples. Moreover, a sensing mechanism driven by B-N coordination-induced enhancement of the intramolecular locally excited (LE) state is proposed and substantiated. Therefore, this study not only introduces a novel molecular design strategy for amine detection characterized by a rare blue-shift response but also provides a new pathway for developing the ratiometric fluorescent probe featured LE properties.

In this study, we investigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-derived markers of excitability and inhibition in methamphetamine (METH) use disorder. Sixteen methamphetamine users and 20 matched controls underwent psychological assessments, revised form of Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, cognitive assessment, anxiety and depression scales and TMS measures, including resting and active motor thresholds (RMT and AMT), motor evoked potential amplitude (MEP-A), cortical silent period (CSP), and short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI). METH users reported higher anxiety, depression, and somatization (p < 0.001), while cognition remained preserved. They exhibited reduced RMT and AMT (p < 0.001), indicating increased excitability, with no significant differences in MEP-A (p = 0.083). CSP onset latency was prolonged at 150% RMT (p = 0.042), suggesting impaired inhibition. Excitability thresholds correlated negatively with methamphetamine dose, while addiction duration was linked to CSP changes and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Lower thresholds also correlated with greater interpersonal sensitivity and addiction severity. Increased cortical excitability and decreased inhibitory control are linked to METH usage, and these factors may be underlying psychiatric symptoms. TMS-derived indices show potential as biomarkers for neurophysiological monitoring and targeted interventions in methamphetamine use disorder.

Bidirectional communication between medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and claustrum (CL) plays a critical role in drug reward memory, particularly for conditioned drug-associated cues. However, their precise circuitry remains unclear. Here, using viral tracing, chemo-&opto-genetics and patch-clamp, alongside methamphetamine (METH) conditioned place preference (CPP) model, we dissected the connectivity pattern between mPFC and CL in male mice. Two relatively independent pathways of top-down mPFC-CL and bottom-up CL-mPFC were identified, each comprising both direct excitatory and indirect inhibitory projections. The mPFC-CL pathway predominantly mediates inter-hemispheric communication, while the CL-mPFC pathway mainly supports intra-hemispheric connections. Under physiological conditions, strong feedforward inhibition (FFI) via local GABAergic interneurons suppresses excitatory transmission between mPFC and CL. During METH CPP, FFI is weakened, resulting in enhanced excitatory signaling. The mPFC-CL pathway was engaged during reward memory encoding, whereas the CL-mPFC pathway mediated memory retrieval. These findings suggest potential therapeutic interventions for METH reward memory.

Illicit drug abuse presents a global challenge to public health and security, creating an urgent need for reliable detection methods to curb trafficking and mitigate societal harm. Methamphetamine (METH), a highly addictive and widely circulated stimulant, requires urgent monitoring solutions. We introduce an approach for the rapid and direct detection of METH using an electrochemical sensor enhanced with MXene nano-interfaces that operates on the principle of electrochemical oxidation. Theoretical simulations are conducted to elucidate the reaction pathway of METH and to analyze the molecular interactions between METH and the MXene surface, providing key insights into the underlying molecular dynamics. The rich surface functionalities of MXene enable a favorable structural affinity with METH, facilitating enhanced interfacial interactions that promote oxidation kinetics and amplify electrochemical responses. The sensor demonstrates a linear response to METH across a concentration range from 2ngmL-1 to 50 µg mL-1, alongside satisfactory anti-interference performance and repeatability, rendering it appropriate for on-site preliminary screening of positive samples. Its successful validation in complex biological matrices confirms its broad applicability. By combining user-friendly operation with a rapid response, this method establishes a robust theoretical framework and a practical solution for the on-site screening of METH and related illicit substances.

Critical interplay between PAF receptor and PKCδ is involved in dopaminergic insult evoked by methamphetamine in mice.

Molecular signatures of neuro-HIV and methamphetamine co-morbidity revealed by Raman spectroscopy in postmortem human brain tissue.

Fentanyl test strip use and homelessness among people who use drugs in Rhode Island.

Agarose-loaded mesoporous silica nanocomposite embedded in a polyether sulfone substrate for thin film solid-phase microextraction: An approach for narcotic drugs extraction from eye tears in a multi-channel microfluidic device prior to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.