People who abuse amphetamine-type drugs such as methamphetamine may be at increased risk for developing dopamine-related disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, according to recent research funded by NIDA and NCI. This is consistent with prior studies in animals showing that abuse of these drugs can damage dopamine neurons.
For a copy of the article (published online November 15), go to: www.drugandalcoholdependence.com/article/S0376-8716%2814%2901894-8/abstract.
For more information, contact the NIDA press office at media@nida.nih.gov or 301-443-6245.