The Effects of Chronic Psychostimulant Administration on Bone Health: A Review
Jessica Nowak,
Jacob Aronin,
Faraaz Beg,
Natasha O’Malley,
Michael Ferrick,
Teresa Quattrin,
Sonja Pavlesen,
Michael Hadjiargyrou,
David E. Komatsu,
Panayotis K. Thanos
Affiliations
Jessica Nowak
Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Jacob Aronin
Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Faraaz Beg
Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Natasha O’Malley
Department of Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
Michael Ferrick
Department of Orthopaedics, Jacobs School of Medicine, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Teresa Quattrin
UBMD Pediatrics, JR Oishei Children’s Hospital, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Sonja Pavlesen
Clinical Research Center, UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 111 N Maplemere Rd., Suite 100, Buffalo, NY 14221, USA
Michael Hadjiargyrou
Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology, Westbury, NY 11568, USA
David E. Komatsu
Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Panayotis K. Thanos
Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
(1) Background: Methylphenidate (MP) and amphetamine (AMP) are psychostimulants that are widely prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. In recent years, 6.1 million children received an ADHD diagnosis, and nearly 2/3 of these children were prescribed psychostimulants for treatment. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current literature on psychostimulant use and the resulting effects on bone homeostasis, biomechanical properties, and functional integrity. (2) Methods: Literature searches were conducted from Medline/PubMed electronic databases utilizing the search terms “methylphenidate” OR “amphetamine” OR “methylphenidate” AND “bone health” AND “bone remodeling” AND “osteoclast” AND “osteoblast” AND “dopamine” from 01/1985 to 04/2023. (3) Results: Of the 550 publications found, 44 met the inclusion criteria. Data from identified studies demonstrate that the use of MP and AMP results in decreases in specific bone properties and biomechanical integrity via downstream effects on osteoblasts and osteoclast-related genes. (4) Conclusions: The chronic use of psychostimulants negatively affects bone integrity and strength as a result of increased osteoclast activity. These data support the need to take this into consideration when planning the treatment type and duration for bone fractures.
