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Use of methamphetamine worldwide now exceeds that of cocaine and opiates combined. Two studies illustrate the consequences of methamphetamine use for brain structure and function.
Deng et al. gave single doses of methamphetamine or saline to adult male mice and assessed changes in dopaminergic function in the olfactory bulb. Compared with controls, methamphetamine-treated animals had significantly less dopamine (-23%) and its major metabolite (-56%), dopamine transporter density (-44%; also in the striatum [-43%]), and density of dopamine neurons. Expression of the neuroprotective protein Bcl-2 decreased; expression of two pro-apoptosis proteins increased.
Salo et al. compared neurometabolite levels and attention (via the Stroop Attention Tas…