Methamphetamine and sleep impairments: neurobehavioral correlates and molecular mechanisms

Abstract Methamphetamine is a potent and highly addictive psychostimulant, one of the most widely used illicit drugs. Over recent years, its global usage seizure have been on rapid rise, with growing detrimental effects mental physical health, devastating psychosocial impact pressing for intervention. Among unwanted methamphetamine, acute long-term sleep impairments are major concern, posing significant therapeutic challenge, cause addiction relapse. Unraveling mechanisms functional correlates methamphetamine-related circadian disruption are, therefore, key relevance to translational clinical psychiatry. In this article, we review mounting evidence impairements sleep–wake behavior activity caused by single or recurring methamphetamine withdrawal. Factors contributing severity loss related cognitive deficit, risks relapse discussed. Key molecular players mediating methamphetamine-induced dopamine release neuromodulation considered, wake-promoting in mesolimbic circuits. The various phases changes levels selected subcortical structures reviewed compared other psychostimulants similar action mechanisms. A critical appraisal presented use modafinil, countering sleep, rhythm impairments. Finally, emerging knowledge gaps methodical limitations highlighted along areas future research translation.