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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration

Published on: January 22, 2016

Glial dysfunction in abstinent methamphetamine abusers.

Napapon Sailasuta¹, Osama Abulseoud, Kent C Harris

¹Clinical Spectroscopy Unit, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, California 91105, USA. sailasuta@hmri.org

Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism : Official Journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism

|December 31, 2009

Summary

Methamphetamine abuse causes persistent frontal brain abnormalities. This study found significantly reduced glial metabolic flux rate in abstinent abusers, impacting brain function.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neuroimaging
Metabolic studies

Background:

Methamphetamine abuse is linked to persistent neurochemical abnormalities in frontal brain regions.
Glial cells play a crucial role in brain metabolism and neurotransmitter cycling.

Purpose of the Study:

To quantify glial metabolic flux rate in the frontal brain of abstinent methamphetamine abusers using (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
To investigate potential links between altered glial metabolism and observed neurochemical changes in methamphetamine abuse.

Main Methods:

Developed a localized (13)C MRS assay on a conventional MR scanner.
Measured glial (13)C-bicarbonate production rate from [1-(13)C]acetate, reflecting glial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle rate.
Compared metabolic rates between abstinent methamphetamine-abusing women and healthy controls.

Main Results:

Steady-state bicarbonate concentrations were similar between groups.
Glial TCA cycle rate was significantly reduced (36% of normal) in abstinent methamphetamine abusers (0.04 vs. 0.11 micromol/g per min, P=0.001).
This reduction may impact the neuronal-glial glutamate cycle.

Conclusions:

This study provides the first direct evidence of abnormal glial metabolism in human methamphetamine abuse.
Reduced glial TCA cycle rate may contribute to frontal brain glutamate accumulation and neuronal dysfunction.
Further longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality between glial dysfunction and neuronal injury.