Influence of Prenatal Methamphetamine Abuse on the Brain

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This article presented an overview of the influence of methamphetamine (MA) on the CNS and summarized the effects of its prenatal exposure. Prenatal exposure to MA poses a very serious challenged to healthcare system and therefore this area is very much relevant. Overall, it is a well-written and organized manuscript, which makes it easy to read and understand. However, discussing the mechanistic aspects of effects of prenatal exposure of MA will increase the quality of this article, as prenatal exposure of MA is already a well-discussed topic. Discussing the epigenetics mechanisms will be more appropriate as per the scope of this journal.

Title is wordy and does not reflect the content exactly.

Author Response

1)   However, discussing the mechanistic aspects of the effects of prenatal exposure of MA will increase the quality of this article, as prenatal exposure of MA is already a well-discussed topic. Discussing the epigenetics mechanisms will be more appropriate as per the scope of this journal.

We expanded the text with a chapter focused on epigenetics of methamphetamine-induced changes. We have added 20 citations of new articles within scope.

2)   The title is wordy and does not reflect the content exactly.

The title was changed to: ´Influence of Prenatal Methamphetamine abuse on the Brain´.

Reviewer 2 Report

This review manuscript describing the effects of prenatal exposure of methamphetamine on pregnant women and fetal development is interesting and relevant. The manuscript is well-written, and presented clearly and succinctly. The data are also interpreted appropriately and depicted in a reader-friendly manner. A few minor suggestions arise when reading the manuscript and these are presented for consideration by the authors.

1. Although the discussion of dopamine and serotonin metabolic pathways are sufficiently described (Fig. 2), more explanation of the role of methamphetamine in these two pathways is needed.
2. Figure 1 was not explained correctly in the text (refer line 44 and line 115).
3. In Table 1, it would be more informative if you added the literature reference for each row of the ‘influence of MA’ column.
4. Combine subsection 1.2 and 1.3.
5.  Very minor points: a) the spelling of “Methamfetamine” under sub-section. b) Label ‘ Tab 1’ as Table 1.

Author Response

1)   Although the discussion of dopamine and serotonin metabolic pathways are sufficiently described (Fig. 2), more explanation of the role of methamphetamine in these two pathways is needed.

Both paragraphs (dopaminergic and serotoninergic pathway) were extended and the role of MA was explained further.

2)   Figure 1 was not explained correctly in the text (refer to line 44 and line 115).

We have corrected the link occurrence to figure 1 in the text and added more detailed information.

3)   In Table 1, it would be more informative if you added the literature reference for each row of the ‘influence of MA’ column.

In each row of ´influence of MA´ column are now relevant literature references.

4)   Combine subsection 1.2 and 1.3.

Combined

5)   Very minor points: a) the spelling of “Methamfetamine” under sub-section. b) Label ‘ Tab 1’ as Table 1.

1. a)   Corrected spelling to ´Methamphetamine
2. b)   Labelled as ´Table 1´