Brain Structure Changes Associated With Methamphetamine Abuse in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Background: Amphetamines constitute a group of central nervous system stimulators with an increasing frequency of usage and destructive outcomes on the metabolism, perfusion, and structure of the brain. This study aimed at evaluating the structural brain changes following amphetamines abuse, usin...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
2019-07-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/ijmtfm/article/view/25118/pdf |
| Summary: | Background: Amphetamines constitute a group of central nervous system stimulators with
an increasing frequency of usage and destructive outcomes on the metabolism, perfusion, and
structure of the brain. This study aimed at evaluating the structural brain changes following
amphetamines abuse, using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on the individuals, who were admitted to
the toxicology Emergency Room (ER) with continuous amphetamines abuse for at least six
months and a positive methamphetamine urine test. Positive Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for dependency and addiction to methamphetamine
were also considered as the inclusion criteria. Following informed consent, the demographic
information, and data on methamphetamine use were collected. An MRI was performed for
all participants as soon as relative recovery. A matched control group also underwent MRI
simultaneously.
Results: Forty male (20 cases of methamphetamine addicts and 20 healthy individuals)
with a Mean±SD age of 28.1±5.11 years were investigated. The Mean±SD age of starting
methamphetamine abuse was 25.6±10 years. About (75%), (n=15) of the patients abused
methamphetamine 6-9 months, while others had abused it for more than 10 months. All
cases used to abuse methamphetamine at least once a week, with (85%) of them inhaling
it. The results showed that the only change in the brain MRI of methamphetamine abusers
was hyperintensities increase in deep and periventricular white matter (only positive MRI in 3
cases, P=0.231). Oral consumption and higher doses had induced greater changes in the brain
structure.
Conclusion: Methamphetamine dependency may increase deep and periventricular white
matter hyperintensities. |
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| ISSN: | 2251-8762 2251-8770 |