Behavioural sensitization is known to be developed after repeated administration of the drugs of abuse as an outcome of neuroadaptation increasing responses of the organism. Therefore even a small dose administered during abstaining period may lead to relapse of addiction. Methamphetamine is one of the most frequently abused substances and occurrence of behavioural sensitization to the drug is repeatedly proven in both animal model s and clinical studies. This review summarizes the information about pharmacological mechanisms of methamphetamine, behavioural sensitization and gender differences in the reactivity to the drug and possible approaches to novel drug abuse treatment.

Key words: methamphetamine – behavioural sensitization – gender differences