Mechanisms of neurotransmitter release by amphetamines: a review.

Article Details

Citation

Sulzer D, Sonders MS, Poulsen NW, Galli A

Mechanisms of neurotransmitter release by amphetamines: a review.

Prog Neurobiol. 2005 Apr;75(6):406-33.

PubMed ID
15955613 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Amphetamine and substituted amphetamines, including methamphetamine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), and the herbs khat and ephedra, encompass the only widely administered class of drugs that predominantly release neurotransmitter, in this case principally catecholamines, by a non-exocytic mechanism. These drugs play important medicinal and social roles in many cultures, exert profound effects on mental function and behavior, and can produce neurodegeneration and addiction. Numerous questions remain regarding the unusual molecular mechanisms by which these compounds induce catecholamine release. We review current issues on the two apparent primary mechanisms--the redistribution of catecholamines from synaptic vesicles to the cytosol, and induction of reverse transport of transmitter through plasma membrane uptake carriers--and on additional drug effects that affect extracellular catecholamine levels, including uptake inhibition, effects on exocytosis, neurotransmitter synthesis, and metabolism.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
AmphetamineSynaptic vesicular amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
BenzphetamineSodium-dependent dopamine transporterProteinHumans
Unknown
Inhibitor
Details
DextroamphetamineSynaptic vesicular amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inducer
Details
Ephedra sinica rootAlpha-2A adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
Ephedra sinica rootAlpha-2B adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
Ephedra sinica rootAlpha-2C adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
Ephedra sinica rootAmine oxidase [flavin-containing] AProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
Ephedra sinica rootAmine oxidase [flavin-containing] BProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
Ephedra sinica rootChromaffin granule amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
Ephedra sinica rootSodium-dependent dopamine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Negative modulator
Details
Ephedra sinica rootSodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Negative modulator
Details
Ephedra sinica rootSynaptic vesicular amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
EphedrineSodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterProteinHumans
Unknown
Inverse agonist
Details
IsomethepteneSynaptic vesicular amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MetamfetamineAlpha-2A adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
MetamfetamineAlpha-2B adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
MetamfetamineAlpha-2C adrenergic receptorProteinHumans
Yes
Agonist
Details
MetamfetamineAmine oxidase [flavin-containing] AProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MetamfetamineAmine oxidase [flavin-containing] BProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MetamfetamineChromaffin granule amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MetamfetamineSodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Negative modulator
Details
MetamfetamineSynaptic vesicular amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MidomafetamineSodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Negative modulator
Details
MMDAAmine oxidase [flavin-containing] AProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MMDAAmine oxidase [flavin-containing] BProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MMDAChromaffin granule amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
MMDASodium-dependent dopamine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Negative modulator
Details
MMDASynaptic vesicular amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details
PropylhexedrineSynaptic vesicular amine transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Not AvailableDetails
Drug Transporters
DrugTransporterKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
EphedrineSynaptic vesicular amine transporterProteinHumans
Unknown
Inhibitor
Details