The neurobiological mechanisms of physical exercise in methamphetamine addiction

Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH) is the primary drug within amphetamine-type stimulants which are the second most abused group of drugs worldwide. There is no pharmacological treatment addressed specifically to METH addiction, and behavioral therapy is shadowed by poor long-term recovery and relapse. Therefore, novel approaches to manage METH addiction are an urgent need. This review aims to describe the current state of physical exercise use on methamphetamine addiction management. The following searching terms in PubMed were used: ("physical exercise" OR "exercise") AND "methamphetamine." Relevant references from key publications and gray literature were also reviewed to identify additional citations for inclusion. Original investigation regarding physical exercise and methamphetamine addiction (clinical data) or neurobiological mechanisms of physical exercise in animal models of methamphetamine administration (preclinical data) was included. Overall, METH users demonstrated improvements, including better fitness and emotional measures, lower relapse rates, and sustained abstinence when compared to nonexercised individuals. The neurobiological mechanisms of physical exercise in METH users seem to reflect an interplay of several agents, including neurochemicals, oxidative stress, neurogenesis, gliogenesis, and blood-brain barrier as disclosed by preclinical data. Exercise-based interventions alone or as a conjoint therapy may be a useful tool for managing METH addiction.

Methamphetamine‐associated psychosis: Clinical presentation, biological basis, and treatment options

“…Exercise therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression and improve physical health for individuals with a methamphetamine use disorder. The benefits of exercise therapy for methamphetamine use were related to many of the same biological mechanisms noted for schizophrenia (i.e., neurochemical imbalance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired neurogenesis; Morais, Pita, Fontes‐Ribeiro, & Pereira, ; Morris et al, ).…”

Exercise Pills for Drug Addiction: Forced Moderate Endurance Exercise Inhibits Methamphetamine-Induced Hyperactivity through the Striatal Glutamatergic Signaling Pathway in Male Sprague Dawley Rats

“…Methamphetamine (METH) is an amphetamine-type stimulant and is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world [ 1 ]. METH causes short-term symptoms related to the sympathetic response of the autonomic nervous system (tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, dilatation of the pupils, hyperthermia, reduced fatigue), and increases euphoria, attention, energy, and libido while decreasing appetite [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. However, repeated METH use can disrupt the central nervous system (CNS), causing neuropsychiatric changes, and in severe cases, death [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…As drug abuse increases worldwide, deaths from METH misuse are also on the rise [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. However, despite the increasing incidence of drug use disorders, there is no effective way to treat addiction [ 4 ]. To date, drug therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social culture therapy have been used to treat drug addiction.…”

Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors are distinctly associated with rest-activity rhythms and drug reward

“…Importantly, restoring circadian rhythmicity in individuals with SUD decreased relapse (13)(14)(15). Dopaminergic (DA) neurotransmission, which plays an essential role in drug reward and addiction has been hypothesized to mediate the association between circadian rhythms and addiction.…”