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Evidence for long-term neurotoxicity associated with methamphetamine abuse: A 1H MRS study
T Ernst1, L Chang, M Leonido-Yee
1Department of Neurology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA. Ernst@afp76.humc.edu
Objective:
To determine whether proton MRS (1H MRS) can detect long-term metabolite abnormalities in abstinent methamphetamine users.
Background:
Methamphetamine is toxic to dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons in rodents; however, little data are available on the toxic effects of methamphetamine on the human brain.
Methods:
1H MRS was performed in 26 abstinent methamphetamine abusers with a history of methamphetamine dependence (median total cumulative lifetime exposure, 3,640 g; median recency of last methamphetamine use, 4.25 months) and 24 healthy subjects without a history of drug abuse. Cerebral metabolite concentrations on 1H MRS were measured in the frontal cortex, frontal white matter, and basal ganglia.
Results:
The concentration of N-acetylaspartate ([NA]), a neuronal marker, was reduced significantly (-5 to -6%) in the basal ganglia and frontal white matter of methamphetamine users compared with control subjects. The frontal white matter [NA] correlated inversely with the logarithm of the lifetime methamphetamine use. The methamphetamine users also showed significantly reduced total creatine in the basal ganglia (-8%), and increased choline-containing compounds ([CHO], +13%) and myo-inositol ([MI], +11%) in the frontal grey matter.
Conclusions:
The reduced [NA] on 1H MRS provides evidence for long-term neuronal damage in abstinent methamphetamine users.
Insights
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) detected long-term brain changes in abstinent methamphetamine users. Reduced N-acetylaspartate indicates lasting neuronal damage from methamphetamine abuse.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Methamphetamine (MA) neurotoxicity is established in rodents, but human brain effects remain understudied.
- Limited data exist on long-term neurological consequences in abstinent methamphetamine users.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate long-term cerebral metabolite alterations in abstinent methamphetamine users using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS).
- To assess potential neuronal damage and neurochemical changes associated with chronic methamphetamine dependence.
Main Methods:
- Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) was employed to measure metabolite concentrations.
- 26 abstinent methamphetamine users and 24 healthy controls were studied.
- Metabolite levels were analyzed in the frontal cortex, frontal white matter, and basal ganglia.
Main Results:
- Methamphetamine users exhibited significantly reduced N-acetylaspartate (NA), a neuronal marker, in the basal ganglia and frontal white matter.
- Frontal white matter NA levels correlated inversely with cumulative lifetime methamphetamine exposure.
- Increased choline-containing compounds (CHO) and myo-inositol (MI) were observed in the frontal grey matter of users, alongside reduced total creatine in the basal ganglia.
Conclusions:
- Reduced NA concentrations detected by 1H MRS provide evidence of long-term neuronal damage in abstinent individuals with a history of methamphetamine dependence.
- These findings highlight the persistent neurotoxic effects of methamphetamine on the human brain.