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Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Oct 2022The relationship between amphetamine use and aggressive or violent behaviour is unclear. This review examined laboratory data collected in humans, who were administered... (Review)
Review
The relationship between amphetamine use and aggressive or violent behaviour is unclear. This review examined laboratory data collected in humans, who were administered an acute dose of amphetamine or methamphetamine, in order to investigate the link between amphetamines and aggression. It is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019127711). Included in the analysis are data from twenty-eight studies. Behavioural and/or subjective measures of aggression were assessed in one thousand and sixty-nine research participants, with limited amphetamine-use histories, following a single amphetamine dose (0-35 mg). The available published evidence indicates that neither amphetamine nor methamphetamine acutely increased aggression as assessed by traditional laboratory measures. Future research should assess supratherapeutic amphetamine doses as well as include a broader range of multiple aggression measures, facilitating simultaneous assessment of the various components that comprise this complex, multifaceted construct.
Topics: Aggression; Amphetamine; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Humans; Methamphetamine
PubMed: 35926727
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104805 -
Journal of Addiction MedicineThe opioid epidemic has evolved into a combined stimulant epidemic, with escalating stimulant and fentanyl-related overdose deaths. Primary care providers are on the...
INTRODUCTION
The opioid epidemic has evolved into a combined stimulant epidemic, with escalating stimulant and fentanyl-related overdose deaths. Primary care providers are on the frontlines grappling with patients' methamphetamine use. Although effective models exist for treating opioid use disorder in primary care, little is known about current clinical practices for methamphetamine use.
METHODS
Six semistructured group interviews were conducted with 38 primary care providers. Interviews focused on provider perceptions of patients with methamphetamine use problems and their care. Data were analyzed using inductive and thematic analysis and summarized along the following dimensions: (1) problem identification, (2) clinical management, (3) barriers and facilitators to care, and (4) perceived needs to improve services.
RESULTS
Primary care providers varied in their approach to identifying and treating patient methamphetamine use. Unlike opioid use disorders, providers reported lacking standardized screening measures and evidence-based treatments, particularly medications, to address methamphetamine use. They seek more standardized screening tools, Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, reliable connections to addiction medicine specialists, and more training. Interest in novel behavioral health interventions suitable for primary care settings was also noteworthy.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this qualitative analysis revealed that primary care providers are using a wide range of tools to screen and treat methamphetamine use, but with little perceived effectiveness. Primary care faces multiple challenges in effectively addressing methamphetamine use among patients singularly or comorbid with opioid use disorders, including the lack of Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, limited patient retention, referral opportunities, funding, and training for methamphetamine use. Focusing on patients' medical issues using a harm reduction, motivational interviewing approach, and linkage with addiction medicine specialists may be the most reasonable options to support primary care in compassionately and effectively managing patients who use methamphetamines.
Topics: Humans; Methamphetamine; Analgesics, Opioid; Opioid-Related Disorders; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 35841323
DOI: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000001035 -
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Topics: Humans; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Methamphetamine; Amphetamine-Related Disorders
PubMed: 37930197
DOI: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001755 -
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior Dec 2020Cue-induced drug craving and seeking progressively increases during abstinence. This "incubation of drug craving" phenomenon has been observed in both laboratory animals... (Review)
Review
Cue-induced drug craving and seeking progressively increases during abstinence. This "incubation of drug craving" phenomenon has been observed in both laboratory animals and humans. Preclinical studies identified several neural mechanisms underlying incubation of drug craving after forced abstinence, primarily focusing on cocaine. Recently, studies started focusing on another powerful psychostimulant, methamphetamine (Meth), and developed new incubation procedures (choice-induced and punishment-induced abstinence). Here, we review mechanistic studies at the circuit, synaptic and molecular levels on incubation of Meth craving. First, we provide an overview of neural adaptations associated with prolonged forced abstinence after extended-access Meth self-administration. Next, we review studies examining the causal roles of discrete brain regions and associated circuits, glutamate transmission, histone deacetylase 5 and oxytocin in incubation of Meth craving after forced abstinence. Lastly, we review causal and correlational studies examining the mechanisms underlying incubation of Meth craving after choice-induced voluntary abstinence and punishment-induced abstinence, respectively. We conclude by discussing the translational potential of these mechanistic studies in Meth relapse prevention in human drug users.
Topics: Animals; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Drug-Seeking Behavior; Humans; Male; Methamphetamine; Motivation; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
PubMed: 33250444
DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.173058 -
The Journal of Sexual Medicine Aug 2023Based on previous studies of vaginal lubrication as well as our own previously reported interview study of women who self-reported methamphetamine (meth)-induced vaginal...
BACKGROUND
Based on previous studies of vaginal lubrication as well as our own previously reported interview study of women who self-reported methamphetamine (meth)-induced vaginal lubrication, in the current study we sought to determine the potential dose-response relationship leading to meth-induced vaginal lubrication. We also developed an animal model to study the reported effects and examine potential mechanisms mediating this phenomenon.
AIM
We sought to characterize the effects of meth on vaginal lubrication in an animal model with the aim of providing a potential framework for new mechanisms that incorporate novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of vaginal dryness.
METHODS
Vaginal lubrication was measured via insertion of a preweighed, cotton-tipped swab into the vaginal canal of anesthetized rats following treatment with various doses of intravenous (IV) meth, up to 0.96 mg/kg, and after additional pharmacological manipulations, including administration of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and an estrogen receptor antagonist. Plasma signaling molecules, including estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, nitric oxide, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, were measured immediately before and at 9 time points after IV meth administration. Blood was collected via a previously implanted chronic indwelling jugular catheter and analyzed by use of commercially available kits per the manufacturer's instructions.
OUTCOMES
Outcomes for this study include the measurement of vaginal lubrication in anesthetized rats following various pharmacological manipulations and plasma levels of various signaling molecules.
RESULTS
Meth dose-dependently increased vaginal lubrication in anesthetized female rats. Meth significantly increased plasma levels compared to baseline of estradiol (2 and 15 minutes after meth infusion) as well as progesterone, testosterone, and nitric oxide (10 minutes after meth infusion). Also, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide decreased significantly compared to baseline for 45 minutes following meth infusion. Our data further suggest that nitric oxide, but not estradiol, is critical in the production of vaginal secretions in response to meth.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
This study has far-reaching implications for women who are suffering from vaginal dryness and for whom estrogen therapy is unsuccessful, as the investigation has demonstrated that meth presents a novel mechanism for producing vaginal lubrication that can be targeted pharmacologically.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
This study is, to our knowledge, the first performed to measure the physiological sexual effects of meth in an animal model. Animals were anesthetized when they were administered meth. In an ideal situation, animals would be self-administering the drug to recapitulate better the contingent nature of drug taking; however, this method was not feasible for the study reported here.
CONCLUSION
Methamphetamine increases vaginal lubrication in female rats through a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.
Topics: Rats; Female; Animals; Methamphetamine; Nitric Oxide; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; Progesterone; Lubrication; Self Administration
PubMed: 37291060
DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad076 -
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice Aug 2023We examined acceptability of and preferences for potential medications for treating methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) among people who use methamphetamine and examined...
INTRODUCTION
We examined acceptability of and preferences for potential medications for treating methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) among people who use methamphetamine and examined how benefits and drawbacks of methamphetamine use affect perceived acceptability and preferences.
METHODS
We conducted qualitative interviews as part of a larger study in 2019-2020. The interview assessed patterns of substance use (including methamphetamine), benefits and drawbacks of methamphetamine use, and interest in a medication to treat MUD. Analysis used an inductive thematic approach, guided by three primary questions: (1) would participants be interested in taking a potential medication for MUD?; (2) what effects would they would like from such a medication?; and (3) what would their ideal treatment route and schedule be (e.g. daily pill, monthly injection)?.
RESULTS
We interviewed 20 people reporting methamphetamine use in the past 3 months (10 from Reno, Nevada, USA and 10 from Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, USA). Seven used exclusively methamphetamine, while thirteen used other substances in addition to methamphetamine. Most were enthusiastic about a potential medication to treat MUD. Of those who were not interested (n = 5), all indicated no current concerns about their methamphetamine use. Perceived functional benefits of methamphetamine use (i.e., energy, counteracting opioid sedation, and improved social and emotional wellbeing) informed preferences for a replacement-type medication that would confer the same benefits while mitigating drawbacks (e.g., psychosis, hallucinations, withdrawal). Opinions on preferred dosing varied, with some preferring longer acting medications for convenience, while others preferred daily dosing that would align with existing routines.
CONCLUSION
Participants were excited about a potential for a medication to treat MUD. Their preferences were informed by the functional role of methamphetamine in their lives and a desire to maintain the stimulant effects while mitigating harms of illicit methamphetamine. Treatment outcomes that emphasize functioning and wellbeing, rather than abstinence, should be explored.
Topics: Humans; Methamphetamine; Qualitative Research; Analgesics, Opioid; Emotions
PubMed: 37587515
DOI: 10.1186/s13722-023-00401-1 -
The Journal of Experimental Biology Jul 2021Illicit drug abuse presents pervasive adverse consequences for human societies around the world. Illicit drug consumption also plays an unexpected role in contamination...
Illicit drug abuse presents pervasive adverse consequences for human societies around the world. Illicit drug consumption also plays an unexpected role in contamination of aquatic ecosystems that receive wastewater discharges. Here, we show that methamphetamine, considered as one of the most important global health threats, causes addiction and behavior alteration of brown trout Salmo trutta at environmentally relevant concentrations (1 µg l-1). Altered movement behavior and preference for methamphetamine during withdrawal were linked to drug residues in fish brain tissues and accompanied by brain metabolome changes. Our results suggest that emission of illicit drugs into freshwater ecosystems causes addiction in fish and modifies habitat preferences with unexpected adverse consequences of relevance at the individual and population levels. As such, our study identifies transmission of human societal problems to aquatic ecosystems.
Topics: Animals; Ecosystem; Humans; Methamphetamine; Trout; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 34229347
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242145 -
Analytical Methods : Advancing Methods... Nov 2023This study was focused on the development of a sensitive, reliable, and efficient extraction procedure for the determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine utilized...
Simultaneous derivatization and extraction of amphetamine and methamphetamine using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction prior to their analysis using GC-FID in creatine supplements.
This study was focused on the development of a sensitive, reliable, and efficient extraction procedure for the determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine utilized in the adulteration of creatine sports supplements. The separation and detection of the analytes were conducted using the gas chromatography-flame ionization detection method. In this study, the analytes were extracted from a supplement powder into a proper solvent by sonication. Then, the extract was mixed with butyl chloroformate to obtain their butylated derivatives and then concentrated by a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure. The method was performed in a short time. Under optimized extraction conditions, a linear range of 2.01-500 ng g was obtained by a coefficient of determination ≥0.996. Low detection (0.22 ng g and 0.61 ng g for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively) and quantification (0.73 ng g and 2.01 ng g for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively) limits, good precision (relative standard deviations ≤8.2%), and high extraction recoveries (79% and 86% for amphetamine and methamphetamine, respectively) were achieved. The usefulness of the method in the analysis of the target compounds was confirmed by studying the matrix effect and analysis of the analytes in different real samples.
Topics: Methamphetamine; Amphetamine; Creatine; Liquid Phase Microextraction; Chromatography, Gas
PubMed: 37987503
DOI: 10.1039/d3ay00828b -
Psychiatry Research Nov 2022Methamphetamine abuse is associated with cognitive deficits across a wide range of domains. It is unclear, however, whether methamphetamine-dependent individuals with...
Methamphetamine abuse is associated with cognitive deficits across a wide range of domains. It is unclear, however, whether methamphetamine-dependent individuals with co-occurring psychosis are more impaired than those without psychosis on tests assessing executive function. We therefore aimed to compare the executive function performance of three groups: methamphetamine-dependent individuals with methamphetamine-induced psychosis (MA+; n = 20), methamphetamine-dependent individuals without psychosis (MA-; n = 19), and healthy controls (HC; n = 20). All participants were administered a neuropsychological test battery that assessed executive functioning across six sub domains (problem solving, working memory, verbal generativity, inhibition, set switching, and decision making). Analyses of covariance (controlling for between-group differences in IQ) detected significant between-group differences on tests assessing verbal generativity and inhibition, with MA+ participants performing significantly more poorly than HC. The finding that methamphetamine-induced psychosis is associated with performance impairments in particular subdomains of executive function may have implications for treatment adherence and relapse prevention.
Topics: Humans; Methamphetamine; Executive Function; Amphetamine-Related Disorders; Psychotic Disorders; Neuropsychological Tests
PubMed: 36075151
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114820 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Jul 2022This paper examines developmental outcomes for children prenatally exposed to methamphetamine through maternal use. PSYCHINFO, Scopus, PubMed and ERIC databases were... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This paper examines developmental outcomes for children prenatally exposed to methamphetamine through maternal use. PSYCHINFO, Scopus, PubMed and ERIC databases were systematically searched for studies up to December 2020. The search identified 38 articles examining cognitive, language, motor and neuroanatomical outcomes in children from birth to 16 years. Study quality was appraised using the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Findings from neuroanatomical studies suggested that prenatal methamphetamine exposure may alter whole brain microstructure and reduce subcortical volumes across multiple brain regions. Meta-analysis of 14 studies using a random-effects model revealed associations between exposure and poorer intellectual functioning (Cohen's d = 0.89, 95 % CI: 0.47-1.30), problem solving skills (Cohen's d = 0.82, 95 % CI: 0.07 -1.56), short-term memory (Cohen's d = 0.91, 95 % CI: 0.38-1.43), and language development (Cohen's d = 0.74, 95 % CI: 0.30-1.18). These results emphasise the significant impact of intrauterine methamphetamine exposure across multiple areas of child development, noting that limited total sample size, heterogeneity between studies and control for confounds suggested further studies are required. There is a need for further intervention studies to identify effective prevention and harm minimisation approaches.
Topics: Brain; Child; Child Development; Cognition; Female; Humans; Methamphetamine; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
PubMed: 35661684
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104714