Scientists have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that explains how drugs like methamphetamine and PCP impair cognitive functions, particularly memory. The study shows that these drugs trigger neurotransmitter switching in the cerebral cortex, where excitatory glutamate neurons switch to inhibitory GABA neurons, leading to memory deficits. Interestingly, researchers were able to reverse this switch and restore memory performance in mice using molecular tools and the antipsychotic drug clozapine. This discovery could pave the way for developing therapies to counteract drug-induced cognitive impairments and other brain disorders.
