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Psychostimulants and brain edema
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Psychostimulants consumption is a serious social and health problem worldwide. The increase in
drug abuse has a huge socio-economic impact in society, and more precisely carries great costs in
health treatments. In fact, it is well known that cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
(MDMA), amphetamine (AMPH) and methamphetamine (METH) have several neurotoxic
effects, such as neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption.
Additionally, the increase of brain water content, a pathological condition also known as brain
edema, has been associated with drugs use. Disturbances in the well-regulated water homeostasis
may occur under several pathological conditions leading to severe alterations in brain function.
Although several studies demonstrated a link between the abuse of psychostimulants and brain
edema, very little is known about the underlying mechanisms that explain such brain alterations.
The water transport across cell membrane is regulated by bi-directional water channels called
aquaporins (AQPs). Noteworthy, the AQP4 channel has an important role in water transport
across BBB, being one of the most important at the Central Nervous System (CNS). In fact,
alterations in AQP4 can originate cerebral edema due to abnormal increase in water content and
consequent brain swelling. Furthermore, inflammatory mediators also seem to have a role in brain
edema formation since the modulation of their action has a beneficial impact in brain edema
outcome.
With the present review, we aim to summarize relevant information regarding the impact of
psychostimulants on brain edema. Nevertheless, it is also evident that many questions remain
unanswered. Thus, in order to improve the clinical outcome of human abusers, it is of crucial
importance to understand what the role of AQP4 is.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Brain edema Cocaine Methamphetamine Water imbalance 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Leitão, R. A. & Silva, A. P. (2015). Psychostimulants and brain edema. Res Net Health 1, e-1-9.
Editora
Instituto Politécnico de Leiria