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Updated: May 23, 2026

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Gender, brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met, and frequency of methamphetamine use
Keith G Heinzerling1, Steven Shoptaw
1Department of Family Medicine and Substance Abuse Pharmacotherapy Unit, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA. KHeinzerling@mednet.ucla.edu
Background:
Frequency of pretreatment methamphetamine (MA) use is an important predictor of outcomes of treatment for MA dependence. Preclinical studies suggest females self-administer more MA than males, but few clinical studies have examined potential sex differences in the frequency of MA use. Estrogen increases expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has effects on MA-induced striatal dopamine release and protects against MA-induced neurotoxicity.
Objective:
We examined potential effects of sex, the Val66Met polymorphism in BDNF, and their interaction on frequency of MA use among 60 Caucasian MA-dependent volunteers screening for a clinical trial.
Methods:
Data was taken from 60 Caucasian MA-dependent volunteers screening for a clinical trial.
Results:
Females reported significantly more pretreatment days with MA use in the past 30 days than males. There was a significant interaction between sex and BDNF Val66Met, with the highest frequency of MA use among females with Val/Val genotype.
Conclusions:
These results, although preliminary, add to the literature documenting sexual dimorphism in response to stimulants, including MA, and suggest a potential biological mechanism involving BDNF that might contribute to these differences. Additional research characterizing the biological basis of altered response to MA among females is warranted.
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