Long-lasting depletion of dopamine and concomitant loss of dopamine uptake sites follow repeated administration of methylamphetamine to rats. We found similar effects after similar treatment with d-amphetamine, but not after treatment with methylphenidate. Methylphenidate also failed to produce long-term depletion of regional catecholamine levels in rhesus monkeys. These long-lasting alterations of the dopaminergic system suggest that amphetamines or their metabolites have toxic interactions with dopaminergic neurons, which do not occur with methylphenidate.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Wagner et al. (1980) studied this question.