Title:Toxic Effects of Methamphetamine on Perivascular Health: Co-morbid Effects of Stress and Alcohol Use Disorders
Volume: 19
Issue: 12
Author(s): Eric A. Rodriguez and Bryan K. Yamamoto*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana,United States
Keywords:
Methamphetamine, stress, alcohol use disorders, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, blood brain barrier.
Abstract: Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse presents a global problem and commonly occurs with
stress and/or alcohol use disorders. Regardless, the biological causes and consequences of these comorbidities
are unclear. Whereas the mechanisms of Meth, stress, and alcohol abuse have been examined
individually and well-characterized, these processes overlap significantly and can impact the neural
and peripheral consequences of Meth. This review focuses on the deleterious cardio- and cerebrovascular
effects of Meth, stress, alcohol abuse, and their comorbid effects on the brain and periphery.
Points of emphasis are on the composition of the blood-brain barrier and their effects on the heart and
vasculature. The autonomic nervous system, inflammation, and oxidative stress are specifically highlighted
as common mediators of the toxic consequences to vascular and perivascular health. A significant
portion of the Meth abusing population also presents with stress and alcohol use disorders,
prompting a need to understand the mechanisms underlying their comorbidities. Little is known about
their possible convergent effects. Therefore, the purpose of this critical review is to identify shared
mechanisms of Meth, chronic stress, and alcohol abuse that contributes to the dysfunction of vascular
health and underscores the need for studies that directly address their interactions.
