Posted by lars1 on December 31, 2004, at 23:02:33
In reply to True Amphetamines Prohibited!, posted by ed_uk on December 31, 2004, at 18:50:53
Hi Ed,
It's true that methylphenidate and amphetamines have a lot of similarities. However, high-dose amphetamines have been fairly conclusively shown to cause dopaminergic neurotoxicity, while the few studies on high-dose methylphenidate haven't found any. This is probably related to their different modes of action: methylphenidate works as a dopamine uptake inhibitor, while amphetamines act not only as uptake inhibitors, but also as dopamine-releasing agents. I don't know whether this is actually the reason methylphenidate is more widely available. It could be just because illicit use of amphetamines is widespread, but you never hear of underground Ritalin-trafficking rings.
Best regards,
Lars
poster:lars1
thread:436140
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041228/msgs/436212.html