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

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Published on: January 22, 2016

Methamphetamine-induced increases in putamen gray matter associate with inhibitory control.

Stephanie M Groman¹, Angelica M Morales, Buyean Lee

¹Department of Psychology, UCLA Department of Psychology, PO Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1563, USA.

Psychopharmacology

|June 11, 2013

Summary

Methamphetamine use alters striatal gray matter, impacting inhibitory control and dopamine receptor availability. These structural changes in the brain are linked to drug experience, not just pre-existing risk factors.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Addiction Research
Neuroimaging

Background:

Problematic drug use is linked to self-control deficits and atypical brain structure.
The origin of these structural abnormalities (drug-induced vs. pre-existing risk) remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate methamphetamine's effects on corticostriatal structure.
To determine the relationship between drug-induced structural changes and altered inhibitory control.

Main Methods:

Monkeys underwent structural MRI and PET scans before and after methamphetamine exposure.
Voxel-based morphometry analyzed changes in corticostriatal gray matter.
Behavioral performance and dopaminergic markers were assessed.

Main Results:

Methamphetamine exposure increased gray matter in the right putamen compared to controls.
Increased gray matter correlated with improved reversal learning performance.
These structural changes were inversely related to dopamine D₂-like receptor and transporter availability.

Conclusions:

Methamphetamine exposure alters striatal structural integrity.
Observed gray matter abnormalities in human users may result from the drug's pharmacological effects.