Methamphetamine

Question 1

What areas of the brain are affected by methamphetamine neurotoxicity?

Answer 1

Frontal Cortex (cell death)
Striatum (cell death and damage to dopamine nerve terminals)
Hippocampus (cell death)

Question 2

In a PET scan (McCann et al 1998) there was evidence of reduced density of what?

Answer 2

Striatal ligand dopamine transporters

Question 3

Acute effects..

Answer 3

Increased attention and decreased fatigue
Increased activity and wakefulness
Decreased appetite
Euphoria and rush
Increased respiration
Rapid/irregular heartbeat

Question 4

Adverse effects of Meth (psychological)

Answer 4

insomnia
aggressive
paranoia
confusion
hallucinations
depression
panic attacks
irritable
decreased appetite
obsessive behaviours

Question 5

Adverse effects of Meth (systemic)

Answer 5

hyperthermia
malnutrition
impaired immune system

Question 6

Adverse effects of Meth (circulatory)

Answer 6

high blood pressure
vessel damage in brain
clotting and stroke

Question 7

Adverse effects of Meth (heart)

Answer 7

chest pain
rapid heart rate
heart attack

Question 8

Adverse effects of Meth (liver)

Answer 8

liver damage

Question 9

Adverse effects of Meth (eyes)

Answer 9

dilated pupils

Question 10

Adverse effects of Meth (mouth)

Answer 10

teeth grinding

Question 11

Adverse effects of Meth (skin)

Answer 11

sweating
numbness

Question 12

Adverse effects of Meth (respiratory)

Answer 12

shortness of breath

Question 13

Adverse effects of Meth (muscular)

Answer 13

jerky movements
increased activity
convulsions
loss of coordination

Question 14

Adverse effects of Meth (kidneys)

Answer 14

damage

Question 15

Methamphetamine and cell death

Answer 15

crystal meth - or methamphetamine - causes abnormalities in the fat metabolism of cells. This triggers a rise in the formation of ceramides which are proinflammatory molecules that have the effect or cell aging and death (Seiden & Sabol 1996; Astarita, 2015)

Question 16

Problems with Stimulants 
Mental health (Volkow, 2010)

Answer 16

Psychosis: acute and chronic effects
Paranoia
Depression
Anxiety
Suicidality
Delirium/hallucinations
Risky/ impulsive behaviour (sexual and other)
Poor social interaction
Long term memory loss

Question 17

Problems with Stimulants
Violence & criminality

Answer 17

Morgan and Beck (1997) 44% of METH users reported violent behaviour as a result of use

McKetin, et al., (2013) Dose dependant 278 participants 30% violent behaviour not related to psychotic symptoms

Possible influences on antisocial behaviour (Grinspoon & Hedbloom, 1975; Preller, et al., 2014)

Abnormal focus on drugs/other stimuli
Sensory flooding and psychotic paranoia
Psychomotor stimulation/energy
Impaired emotional empathy

Question 18

Meth on the brain

Answer 18

Methamphetamine abuse also has been shown to have negative effects on non-neural brain cells called microglia.

These cells support brain health by defending the brain against infectious agents and removing damaged neurons. Too much activity of the microglial cells, however, can assault healthy neurons (NIDA, 2017).

Question 19

NIMH (Volkow, et al., 2001) Decreased Dopamine transporters and decreased metabolism in the brain

Answer 19

NIMH (Volkow, et al., 2001) Decreased Dopamine transporters and decreased metabolism in the brain