Toxic Effects of Methamphetamine on Perivascular Health: Co-morbid Effects of Stress and Alcohol Use Disorders

Methamphetamine (Meth) abuse presents a global problem and commonly occurs withstress and/or alcohol use disorders. Regardless, the biological causes and consequences of these comorbiditiesare unclear. Whereas the mechanisms of Meth, stress, and alcohol abuse have been examinedindividually and well-characterized, these processes overlap significantly and can impact the neuraland peripheral consequences of Meth. This review focuses on the deleterious cardio- and cerebrovasculareffects of Meth, stress, alcohol abuse, and their comorbid effects on the brain and periphery.Points of emphasis are on the composition of the blood-brain barrier and their effects on the heart andvasculature. The autonomic nervous system, inflammation, and oxidative stress are specifically highlightedas common mediators of the toxic consequences to vascular and perivascular health. A significantportion of the Meth abusing population also presents with stress and alcohol use disorders,prompting a need to understand the mechanisms underlying their comorbidities. Little is known abouttheir possible convergent effects. Therefore, the purpose of this critical review is to identify sharedmechanisms of Meth, chronic stress, and alcohol abuse that contributes to the dysfunction of vascularhealth and underscores the need for studies that directly address their interactions.