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A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Attentional control and brain metabolite levels in methamphetamine abusers
Ruth Salo1, Thomas E Nordahl, Yutaka Natsuaki
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California 95817 , USA. resalo@ucdavis.edu <resalo@ucdavis.edu>
Methamphetamine abuse impairs attentional control and alters brain chemistry in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). These neurochemical changes may explain cognitive deficits in chronic methamphetamine abusers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Methamphetamine abuse is linked to neurotoxicity in frontostriatal regions.
- This neurotoxicity can negatively impact cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between attentional control and brain metabolite levels.
- Focus on anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and primary visual cortex (PVC).
Main Methods:
- Used a computerized selective attention task (Stroop test).
- Employed single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
- Studied 36 abstinent methamphetamine abusers and 16 controls.
Main Results:
- Methamphetamine abusers showed poorer attentional control (increased Stroop interference).
- Lower N-acetyl aspartate (NAA)-creatine and higher choline (Cho)-NAA in ACC of abusers.
- ACC NAA-creatine levels correlated with attentional control in abusers.
Conclusions:
- Neurochemical alterations in the ACC may underlie attentional deficits in methamphetamine abuse.
- Findings highlight the impact of methamphetamine on frontostriatal neurochemistry and cognition.
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