Psychostimulant

A psychostimulant is a substance that enhances locomotor behavior. Examples of psychostimulants include amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, methylphenidate, and arecoline, the most widely used psychostimulant.

Additional recommended knowledge

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Nicotine and caffeine are not considered psychostimulants because they do not enhance locomotor behavior in rodents.^[1]

Psychostimulants are often potent modulators of dopamine signaling, often affecting the activity of monoamine transporters such as the dopamine transporter and vesicular monoamine transporters.^[2]

References

1. ^ Sulzer D, Sonders MS, Poulsen NW, Galli A (2005). "Mechanisms of neurotransmitter release by amphetamines: a review". Prog. Neurobiol. 75 (6): 406-33. doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2005.04.003. PMID 15955613.
2. ^ Riddle EL, Fleckenstein AE, Hanson GR (2005). "Role of monoamine transporters in mediating psychostimulant effects". The AAPS journal 7 (4): E847-51. doi:10.1208/aapsj070481. PMID 16594636.