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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
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A Visual Description of the Dissection of the Cerebral Surface Vasculature and Associated Meninges and the Choroid Plexus from Rat Brain
Published on: November 14, 2012
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Structural indices of brain aging in methamphetamine use disorder
Johannes Petzold1, Jean-Baptiste F Pochon2, Dara G Ghahremani2
1Jane and Terry Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|February 8, 2024
Summary
Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is linked to accelerated brain aging, showing premature brain atrophy and white matter lesions in individuals aged 26-54. These changes may impact cognition and treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Global methamphetamine use is increasing.
- Methamphetamine use is associated with neurological conditions like stroke, Parkinsonism, and dementia.
- These conditions suggest methamphetamine may accelerate brain aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) exhibit accelerated brain aging.
- To compare structural brain aging indices in MUD patients during early abstinence with healthy controls (HC).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study comparing MUD (n=89) and HC (n=89) participants (ages 26-54).
- Analysis of T1-weighted MRI scans for brain volume/cerebrospinal fluid (BV/CSF) index, white matter hyperintensities, and choroid plexus volume.
- Age- and sex-matched groups were utilized.
Main Results:
- MUD group showed a lower BV/CSF index and larger white matter hyperintensities and choroid plexus volumes (p<0.01).
- Regression analyses indicated different age trajectories for BV/CSF index and choroid plexus volume in MUD.
- Larger white matter hyperintensities were observed in older participants and the MUD group, independent of age.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with MUD exhibit premature brain pathology, including atrophy and choroid plexus abnormalities.
- This pathology may stem from cerebrovascular damage and choroid plexus dysfunction.
- Accelerated brain aging in MUD could impair cognition and reduce the effectiveness of behavioral therapies.
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