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• Kydd, R
• Russell, B
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Brain Sci. 2012, 2(4), 434-482; doi:10.3390/brainsci2040434

Review

Functional and Structural Brain Changes Associated with Methamphetamine Abuse

Reem K. Jan ^1,2,* , Rob R. Kydd ^2,3  and Bruce R. Russell ^1,2

¹ School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand ² Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand ³ Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 31 July 2012; in revised form: 11 September 2012 / Accepted: 11 September 2012 / Published: 1 October 2012

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addiction and Neuroadaptation)

Download PDF Full-Text [320 KB, Updated Version, uploaded 8 October 2012 15:31 CEST]

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Abstract: Methamphetamine (MA) is a potent psychostimulant drug whose abuse has become a global epidemic in recent years. Firstly, this review article briefly discusses the epidemiology and clinical pharmacology of methamphetamine dependence. Secondly, the article reviews relevant animal literature modeling methamphetamine dependence and discusses possible mechanisms of methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity. Thirdly, it provides a critical review of functional and structural neuroimaging studies in human MA abusers; including positron emission tomography (PET) and functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The effect of abstinence from methamphetamine, both short- and long-term within the context of these studies is also reviewed.

Keywords: addiction; cognitive control; decision-making; dopamine; grey matter; functional magnetic resonance imaging; methamphetamine; neurotoxicity; positron emission tomography; serotonin

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