Figure 1.
Categories of research on abuse-related behavioral and neurobiological effects of abused stimulants in the absence or presence of treatment with candidate medications. A large database now exists on behavioral and neurobiological effects of abused stimulants, and this work provides insight on mechanisms of stimulant addiction. This database also provides a foundation for research to examine effects of candidate medications on abuse-related behavioral and neurobiological effects of abused stimulants. At present, a substantial and growing body of data has examined effects of monoamine transporter inhibitors and substrates on abuse-related behavioral effects of stimulants, whereas a much smaller body of work has addressed effects of these compounds on abuse-related neurobiological effects of stimulants. Optimal candidate medications will reduce expression of abuse-related behavioral effects and reverse abuse-related neurobiological effects of abused stimulants.