Uncontrolled Meth May Lead To Parkinson's

17:25 Uncontrolled Meth May Lead To Parkinson's 0 Comments

A recent study in neurology, conducted by Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, has suggested that use of amphetamine or methamphetamine, popularly known as crystal meth or meth and similar drugs, can pose a risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

The relation has been long suspected but now it has been confirmed.

Parkinson’s disease causes tremors, slowness, and stiffness and impairs balance. This neurodegenerative disease is caused by brain’s inability to produce the dopamine, evidences of meth and similar drugs injuring the dopamine-producing areas of the brain have been traced before in animal tests.

The Center had examined three hundred thousand cases of California hospitals over the past 16 years. The studies laid a clear indication that the people on meth or similar drug as amphetamine had 76 % greater chances of developing Parkinson’s

As the illness has long-term effects to those usually in their middle or old age, it was difficult for researchers to establish a link because it required long-term cases of the users for studying. The study was not conducted under the supervision of any medical practitioner, as it is widely used as a recreational drug which is out of practitioner’s control anyway.

The research suggested that it is also important for people to understand that the results do not apply to people taking the drug, as the medicine is for limited period of time and under controlled supervision.