MicroRNAs in Methamphetamine: Addiction, Neurotoxicity, and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Drug addiction is a debilitating condition that causes severe mental and physical impairments. Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the most commonly abused psychostimulants, mainly affecting the brain by releasing dopamine and serotonin. METH addiction has become a serious public health issue, and there is currently no specific treatment available. Although scientists have a good understanding of the mechanisms underlying drug addiction, including METH, our current biological and molecular knowledge of addiction is still incomplete. There is substantial evidence that addiction-related changes are primarily mediated through gene expression regulation. Interestingly, the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in this process could enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying METH addiction. Therefore, further understanding the mechanisms behind METH-induced differential changes in miRNAs, along with their pharmacological and genetic manipulation, could lead to promising new treatments for METH addiction. In this study, we first summarized epidemiological data and the addictive and neurotoxic mechanisms of METH, extensively reviewed studies on miRNA expression changes, discussed potential miRNA-targeted therapeutic interventions for METH addiction, and outlined future research directions. We believe this study will provide a clearer understanding of the role of miRNAs in METH addiction and may help scientists develop more effective therapeutic strategies.