Newbie with a question. Recovering meth addict

mrsD · 02-01-2014, 11:29 AM

Welcome to NeuroTalk:

I wish I could give you good news, but I can't find much in the
literature.

I did find this from 2008:

Quote:

Synapse. 2008 Feb;62(2):91-100.
Persistent cognitive and dopamine transporter deficits in abstinent methamphetamine users.
McCann UD, Kuwabara H, Kumar A, Palermo M, Abbey R, Brasic J, Ye W, Alexander M, Dannals RF, Wong DF, Ricaurte GA.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Studies in abstinent methamphetamine (METH) users have demonstrated reductions in brain dopamine transporter (DAT) binding potential (BP), as well as cognitive and motor deficits, but it is not yet clear whether cognitive deficits and brain DAT reductions fully reverse with sustained abstinence, or whether behavioral deficits in METH users are related to dopamine (DA) deficits. This study was conducted to further investigate potential persistent psychomotor deficits secondary to METH abuse, and their relationship to brain DAT availability, as measured using quantitative PET methods with [(11)C]WIN 35428.
METHODS:

Twenty-two abstinent METH users and 17 healthy non-METH using controls underwent psychometric testing to test the hypothesis that METH users would demonstrate selective deficits in neuropsychiatric domains known to involve DA neurons (e.g., working memory, executive function, motor function). A subset of subjects also underwent PET scanning with [(11)C]WIN 35428.
RESULTS:

METH users were found to have modest deficits in short-term memory, executive function, and manual dexterity. Exploratory correlational analyses revealed that deficits in memory, but not those in executive or motor function, were associated with decreases in striatal DAT BP.
CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest a possible relationship between DAT BP and memory deficits in abstinent METH users, and lend support to the notion that METH produces lasting effects on central DA neurons in humans. As METH can also produce toxic effects on serotonin (5-HT) neurons, further study is needed to address the potential role of brain 5-HT depletion in cognitive deficits in abstinent METH users.

(c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID:
17992686
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17992686

We do have a handy link to PubMed at the right top of the page here.
When you go there to look further use
"methamphetamine long term effects"
or
methamphetamine dopamine transporter

or
whatever, using the word methamphetamine + a qualifying keyword or phrase.

I suspect the long term consequences would be similar to the
known effects of amphetamine or methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Always use generic drug names when searching on PubMed.

There have been suggestions concerning long term use of stimulants in children leading to chronic depression and/or Parkinsonian symptoms later in life. This may vary from person to person.

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