Peripheral molecular and brain structural profile implicated stress activation and hyperoxidation in methamphetamine...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Methamphetamine use disorders (MUDs) disrupt metabolomic and immunologic processes.
• New therapeutic approaches are needed for MUDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify molecular and neuroimaging biomarkers for methamphetamine addiction.
• Investigate the relationship between molecular changes and brain structure in MUDs.

Main Methods:

• Quantified blood levels of 52 molecules in 231 MUD patients and 40 controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
• Assessed molecular disruption in relation to withdrawal time and follow-up.
• Correlated brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels with gray matter volumes.

Main Results:

• Molecular disruption was inversely related to withdrawal time, with partial recovery after one year.
• Elevated molecules related to stress, immune activation, oxidative products, and cardiac injury were observed.
• Downregulated antioxidation enzymes and correlations between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and gray matter volumes in specific brain regions were found.

Conclusions:

• Patients with MUD show elevated immune response, stress, and oxidative stress.
• These molecular changes are associated with brain structural abnormalities in methamphetamine addiction.