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Updated: Mar 17, 2026

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Chronic methamphetamine self-administration disrupts cortical control of cognition
Aurelien Bernheim1, Ronald E See2, Carmela M Reichel1
1Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Abstract:
Methamphetamine (meth) is one of the most abused substances worldwide. Chronic use has been associated with repeated relapse episodes that may be exacerbated by cognitive impairments during drug abstinence. Growing evidence demonstrates that meth compromises prefrontal cortex activity, resulting in persisting attentional and memory impairments. After summarizing recent studies of meth-induced cognitive dysfunction using a translationally relevant model of self-administered meth, this review emphasizes the cortical brain changes contributing to cognitive dysregulation during abstinence. Finally, we propose the use of cognitive enhancers during abstinence that may promote a drug-free state by reversing cortical dysfunction linked with prolonged meth abuse.
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