Amphetamine overdose

Most patients presenting with acute toxicity from amphetamines recover fully. Long-term consequences of continuing amphetamine usage are disturbing in nature and insidious. Repeated MDMA (ecstasy) use depletes 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) in some pathophysiologic models. Investigators have noted melancholy and impaired concentration in the wake of chronic amphetamine misuse.[84]Verheyden SL, Henry JA, Curran HV. Acute, sub-acute and long-term subjective consequences of 'ecstasy' (MDMA) consumption in 430 regular users. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2003 Oct;18(7):507-17. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14533132?tool=bestpractice.com Effects may also include diminished attention, perceptual organization, and impulsivity control; impaired memory; and loss of some aspects of executive function.[85]Rogers G, Elston J, Garside R, et al. The harmful health effects of recreational ecstasy: a systematic review of observational evidence. Health Technol Assess. 2009 Jan;13(6):iii-iv, ix-xii, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19195429?tool=bestpractice.com [Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Chronic toxicity to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) by selective serotonergic neuron toxicity. 5HT: 5-hydroxytryptamineFrom the collection of Dr Alison Jones [Citation ends].