Extended access methamphetamine decreases immature neurons in the hippocampus which results from loss and altered development of neural progenitors without altered dynamics of the S-phase of the cell cycle

► Clinically relevant rodent model of limited and extended access METH self-administration. ► Cellular mechanisms underlying METH-induced inhibition of hippocampal proliferation. ► METH reduces pool of progenitors in the S-phase of cell cycle and does not alter S-phase length. ► METH reduces pool of preneuronal neuroblasts and alters proliferation of immature neurons. ► METH increases apoptosis.