White-matter abnormalities in brain during early abstinence from methamphetamine abuse

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Previous research indicated white matter abnormalities in chronic methamphetamine abusers after long-term abstinence.
• The early abstinence period is critical for treatment retention.
• Metabolic brain changes may emerge after early methamphetamine abstinence, potentially masking microstructural abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate microstructural white matter integrity in individuals during the early abstinence period from methamphetamine.
• To compare brain structure in methamphetamine-dependent subjects during early abstinence with healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at 1.5 Tesla was employed.
• Fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured in prefrontal white matter and the corpus callosum.
• FA was also assessed in other brain regions implicated in methamphetamine's effects.

Main Results:

• Methamphetamine-dependent subjects showed significantly lower FA in right prefrontal white matter compared to controls.
• Reduced FA was observed in the genu of the corpus callosum and bilateral midcaudal superior corona radiata.
• FA in the left midcaudal superior corona radiata correlated with depressive and generalized psychiatric symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Methamphetamine abuse induces microstructural white matter abnormalities in regions connecting the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.
• These abnormalities are present even during the first weeks of abstinence.
• The observed white matter changes are associated with psychiatric symptoms during early abstinence.