Methamphetamine dependence with and without psychotic symptoms: A multi-modal brain imaging study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Radiology

Background:

• Methamphetamine dependence is associated with psychotic symptoms.
• Neuroimaging studies comparing dependent individuals with and without psychosis are limited.
• Frontal, striatal, limbic, and thalamic regions are implicated in methamphetamine-induced psychosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate neurocircuitry differences in methamphetamine dependence with and without psychotic symptoms.
• To compare brain glucose metabolism and cerebral perfusion between groups.

Main Methods:

• Three groups were studied: methamphetamine dependent (MAA), methamphetamine dependent with psychosis (MAP), and controls.
• Resting brain glucose metabolism was measured using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET).
• Cerebral perfusion was assessed using arterial spin labelling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging.

Main Results:

• Both MAA and MAP groups showed decreased glucose metabolism in the insula, precentral gyrus, and anterior cingulate cortex compared to controls.
• MAP participants exhibited decreased glucose metabolism in the left precentral gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus compared to MAA.
• MAP participants showed increased glucose metabolism and cerebral perfusion in the putamen and pallidum compared to MAA.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the involvement of frontal, striatal, and limbic regions in methamphetamine dependence.
• Methamphetamine dependence with psychotic symptoms is associated with distinct disruptions in glucose metabolism and cerebral perfusion.
• Neuroimaging reveals specific alterations in brain activity and blood flow related to psychosis in methamphetamine users.