Emerging research on methamphetamine

Current Opinion in Psychiatry

Volumn 18, Issue 3, 2005, Pages 235-242

  Maxwell, Jane Carlisle ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN   (United States)

Author keywords

Amphetamine; Amphetamine type substances; Ice; Methamphetamine; Methamphetamine treatment; Speed

Indexed keywords

METHAMPHETAMINE; PSYCHOSTIMULANT AGENT;

AGGRESSION; ATTENTION; BEHAVIOR THERAPY; BRAIN INJURY; CLINICAL TRIAL; COGNITION; COGNITIVE DEFECT; COGNITIVE THERAPY; DRUG DEPENDENCE; DRUG USE; EMERGENCY WARD; EPIDEMIC; EXPOSURE; FEMALE; FETUS DEVELOPMENT; HEALTH CARE QUALITY; HIGH RISK POPULATION; HUMAN; LABORATORY; MALE; MOTOR PERFORMANCE; OUTPATIENT; PATIENT CARE; PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE; REVIEW; RISK REDUCTION; TREATMENT OUTCOME; VIOLENCE;

EID: 17844394706     PISSN: 09517367     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1097/01.yco.0000165592.52811.84     Document Type: Review

References (51)

1. Churchill A, Topp L. Methamphetamine forms. Drug Trends Bulletin. http:// ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/ndarc.nsf/website/IDRS.bulletins. [Accessed 19 July 2003]
2. National Drug Intelligence Center. National drug threat assessment. Jonestown, PA; 2004.
3. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2004 World drug report, vol 1: Analysis. Vienna; 2004.
4. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2004 World drug report, vol 2: Statistics. Vienna; 2004.
5. Caulkins J. Methamphetamine epidemics: an empirical overview. Law Enforcement Executive Forum 2003; 3:17-42. This is one of the more important articles published in this time period because it provides insight into the historical and spatial patterns in methamphetamine-related data indicators. It is based on the idea that drug control policy should adapt over the course of the epidemic and law enforcement efforts are particularly valuable early in the epidemic cycle.
6. Jenner L, McKetin R. Prevalence and patterns of psychostimulant use. In: Baker A, Lee N, Jenner L, editors. Models of intervention and care for psychostimulant users. 2nd ed. National Drug Strategy Monograph Series No. 51. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing; 2004. This is an excellent summary of patterns in methamphetamine use worldwide as well as providing data on the impact of the drug on emergency services, treatment, and the criminal justice system in Australia.
7. Breen C, Degenhardt L, White B, et al. Australian party drug trends (Monograph No. 52). Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales; 2004.
8. Degenhardt L, Topp L. 'Crystal meth' use among polydrug users in Sydney's dance party subculture: characteristics, use patterns and associated harm. Int J Drug Policy 2003; 14:17-24. This article presents the results of interviews with 45 crystal methamphetamine users who were given a structured interview about drug use and related harms. Reports of side effects among this sample were compared with those reported by a sample of much heavier, longer-term and predominately injecting amphetamine powder users.
9. Semple S, Patterson T, Grant I. The context of sexual risk behavior among heterosexual methamphetamine users. Addict Behav 2004; 29:807-810. This excellent article provides important data on sexual risk behaviors of heterosexual users, which is an under-studied group of methamphetamine users.
10. Kurtz S, Inciardi J. Crystal meth, gay men, and circuit parties. Law Enforcement Executive Forum 2003; 3:97-114. This article provides insight into the gay party scene and drug use through a survey of 237 men who attended a Winter Party in Miami.
11. Reback C, Larkins S, Shoptaw S. Changes in the meaning of sexual risk behaviors among gay and bisexual male methamphetamine abusers before and after drug treatment. AIDS Behav 2004; 8:87-98. This study of 162 gay and bisexual men who were randomly assigned to one of four outpatient treatment conditions combined quantitative and qualitative techniques to enrich the research findings to better understand the behaviors and the interpretations of the behavioral changes which followed treatment.
12. Semple S, Patterson T, Grant I. A comparison of injection and non-injection methamphetamine-using HIV positive men who have sex with men. Drug Alcohol Depend 2004; 76:203-212. This article provides data on the differences between injecting and noninjecting methamphetamine users who have sex with men.
13. Urbina A, Jones K. Crystal methamphetamine, its analogues, and HIV infection: medical and psychiatric aspects of a new epidemic. Clin Infect Dis HIV/ AIDS 2004; 38:890-894. This article describes medical and psychiatric morbidities associated with amphetamine abuse in HIV-infected patients.
14. Quest Diagnostics. Increased use of amphetamines linked to rising workplace drug use, according to Quest Diagnostics' 2003 Drug Testing Index. http:// www.questdiagnostics.com/employersolutions/dti_07_2004/dti_index.html. [Accessed 22 July 2004]
15. Tominaga G, Garcia G, Dzierba A, Wong J. Toll of methamphetamine on the trauma system. Arch Surg 2004; 139:844-847.
16. Warner P, Connolly J, Gibran N, et al. The methamphetamine burn patient. J Burn Care Rehabil 2003; 24:275-278.
17. Danks R, Wibbenmeyer L, Faucher L, et al. Methamphetamine-associated burn injuries: a retrospective analysis. J Burn Care Rehabil 2004; 25:425-429.
18. Horton D, Berkowitz Z, Kaye W. Secondary contamination of ED personnel from hazardous materials events, 1995-2001. Am J Emerg Med 2003; 21:199-204.
19. Smith L, Yonekura M, Wallace T, et al. Effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on fetal growth and drug withdrawal symptoms in infants born at term. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2003; 24:17-23. This is one of the first large studies of infants exposed to methamphetamine. Maternal and neonatal profiles, as well as the effects of nicotine, were studied with 294 mother-infant pairs (exposed and unexposed).
20. Wouldes T, LaGasse L, Sheridan J, Lester B. Maternal methamphetamine use during pregnancy and child outcome: what do we know? N Z Med J 2004; 117:1-10. This article reviews the literature that has associated methamphetamine use with adverse developmental outcomes. It includes evidence of adverse developmental effects in animals and humans following prenatal exposure to methamphetamine, as well as insights from the cocaine literature. It cautions against 'a rush to judgment' as happened with media headlines about crack babies.
21. Hohman M, Oliver R, Wright W. Methamphetamine abuse and manufacture: the child welfare response. Social Work 2004; 49:373-381. This article examines the ways exposure to the manufacture of methamphetamine affects clients and social workers, including the role of child protective service agencies. It describes the California drug-endangered children's units as a mechanism to facilitate collaboration with multiple agencies and workers.
22. Greenwell L, Brecht M. Self-reported health status among treated methamphetamine users. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 2003; 29:75-104. This article describes self-reporting health status and the relationship with prolonged methamphetamine use in a diverse sample of users who had been treated in Los Angeles. It was found that treatment programs could be improved by a greater understanding of how early drug experiences influence later health.
23. Brown P, Wise R, Kiyatkin E. Brain hyperthermia is induced by methamphetamine and exacerbated by social interaction. J Neurosci 2003; 23:3924-3929. This study monitored brain and body temperatures of rats as methamphetamine was injected. To test social interaction and temperature, male rats were exposed to females while methamphetamine was injected to test the effect of the drug and social interaction on brain and body temperatures.
24. Newton P, Chierakul W, Ruangveerayuth R, et al. Short communication: Malaria and amphetamine 'horse tablets' in Thailand. Trop Med Int Health 2003; 8:17-18.
25. Hasan A, Ciancio S. Relationship between amphetamine ingestion and gingival enlargement. Pediatr Dent 2004; 26:396-400. This easy-to-read, yet very comprehensive, literature review describes the existing treatment options and provides recommendations for practitioners and researchers.
26. See S, Tan E. Severe amphetamine-induced bruxism: treatment with botulinum toxin. Acta Neurol Scand 2003; 107:161-163.
27. Cretzmeyer M, Sarrazinr M, Huber D, et al. Treatment of amphetamine abuse: research findings and clinical directions. J Subst Abuse Treat 2003; 24:267-277.
28. Boles S, Miotto K. Substance abuse and violence: a review of the literature. Aggression Violent Behav 2003; 8:155-174. This article reviews the findings from diverse disciplines on the complex relationship between violence and the abuser of various drugs, including amphetamines. Topics include psychosocial factors, neurobiology of violence, withdrawal and violence, types of violence, and substance use in the occurrence of violent events.
29. Zweben J, Cohen J, Christian D, et al. Psychiatric symptoms in methamphetamine users. Am J Addict 2004; 13:181-190. This report on the Methamphetamine Treatment Project provides a preliminary overview of the psychiatric symptoms that were present in the 1016 methamphetamine-dependent patients in the sample. Examines relationship between psychiatric symptoms and levels of violence, abuse, route of administration, and extent of substance use.
30. Cohen J, Dickow A, Horner K, et al. Abuse and violence history of men and women in treatment for methamphetamine dependence. Am J Addict 2003; 12:377-385. This article describes the findings of the histories of abuse and violence in 1016 patients in the Methamphetamine Treatment Project.
31. Turnipseed S, Richards J, Kirk J, et al. Frequency of acute coronary syndrome in patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain after methamphetamine use. J Emerg Med 2003; 24:369-373. This is a review of the cases of 33 patients presenting in the emergency department with chest pain after methamphetamine use.
32. Wijetunga M, Seto T, Lindsay J, Schatz I. Crystal methamphetamine- associated cardiomyopathy: tip of the iceberg? J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2003; 41:981-986. This article is a retrospective review of 21 crystal methamphetamine users admitted to hospital with a primary or secondary diagnosis of cardiomyopathy.
33. Srisurapanont M, Ali R, Marsden J, et al. Psychotic symptoms in methamphetamine psychotic in-patients. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2003; 6:347-352. This cross-country evaluation of substance use, health, and treatment of 168 methamphetamine psychotic inpatients explored the prevalence and factor-structure of this disorder in Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
34. Chen C, Lin S, Sham P, et al. Pre-morbid characteristics and co-morbidity of methamphetamine users with and without psychosis. Psychol Med 2003; 33:1407-1414. This article presents the results of a Taipei project to characterize methamphetamine users and to examine the relationship of premorbid personality, premorbid social function and other psychiatric disorders with methamphetamine psychosis.
35. Newton T, Kalechstein A, Duran S, et al. Methamphetamine abstinence syndrome: preliminary findings. Am J Addict 2004; 13:248-255. This was a prospective study of methamphetamine abstinence syndrome. The findings differ from those reported in retrospective studies of the syndrome.
36. Kalechstein A, Newton T, Green M. Methamphetamine dependence is associated with neurocognitive impairment in the initial phases of abstinence. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2003; 15:215-220. These were the first findings to demonstrate that methamphetamine dependence is associated with impairments across a range of neurocognitive domains in a sample of users whose abstinence was continuously monitored with the use of urine screening.
37. Newton T, Cook I, Kalechstein A, et al. Quantitative EEG abnormalities in recently abstinent methamphetamine dependent individuals. Clin Neurophysiol 2003; 114:410-415. This sample of 11 methamphetamine-dependent patients and 11 nondrug-using volunteers was studied using quantitative EEGs to characterize abnormalities in brain function.
38. Simon S, Dacey J, Glynn S, et al. The effect of relapse on cognition in abstinent methamphetamine abusers. J Subst Abuse Treat 2004; 27: 59-66. Data from 75 participants in a longitudinal study of methamphetamine abuse were used to differentiate between the cognitive performance of those who remained abstinent, relapsed, or continued to use during treatment.
39. Toomey R, Lyons M, Eisen S, et al. A twin study of the neuropsychological consequences of stimulant abuse. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2003; 60:303-310. This co-twin research design controlled for familial vulnerability to identify neuropsychological deficits that were consequences of stimulant use.
40. Nordahl T, Salo R, Leamon M. Neuropsychological effects of chronic methamphetamine use on neurotransmitters and cognition: a review. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2003; 15:317-325. This excellent review provides an outline and synthesis of studies that assess the neurotoxic mechanisms of methamphetamine, as well as those that evaluate the cognitive sequelae of methamphetamine abuse.
41. London E, Simon S, Berman S, et al. Mood disturbances and regional cerebral metabolic abnormalities in recently abstinent methamphetamine abusers. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2004; (61):73-84. This is an important study of regional brain function and its possible relationships with negative affect in newly abstinent methamphetamine abusers. Seventeen abstaining abusers were compared with 18 controls during performance of a vigilance task using measures of mood and cerebral glucose metabolism fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.
42. Wang G, Volkow N, Chang L, et al. Partial recovery of brain metabolism in methamphetamine abusers after protracted abstinence. Am J Psychiatry 2004; 161:242-248. This is a study of brain glucose metabolism as measured with positron emission tomography and fluorodeoxyglucose in five methamphetamine abusers evaluated after abstinence intervals of less than 6 months and 12-17 months.
43. Cadet J, Jayanthi S, Deng X. Speed kills: cellular and molecular bases of methamphetamine-induced nerve terminal degeneration and neuronal apoptosis. FASEB J 2003; 17:1776-1788. This is an excellent review of 208 articles providing an interim account for the role of oxygen-based radicals and the participation of transcription factors and the involvement of cell death genes in methamphetamine-induced neurodegeneration.
44. Thompson P, Hayashi K, Simon S, et al. Structural abnormalities in the brains of human subjects who use methamphetamine. J Neurosci 2004; 24:6028-6036. This is a major study using MRI and new computational brain-mapping techniques to determine the pattern of structural brain alterations associated with chronic methamphetamine abuse and deficits in cognitive impairments in humans. This is the first study to use these techniques to document cerebral deterioration.
45. McCann U, Ricaurte G. Amphetamine neurotoxicity: accomplishments and remaining challenges. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2004; 27:821-826. This article is a review of the history of amphetamine neurotoxicity research and the progress that has been made toward defining its characteristics. The remaining challenges for this line of investigation are outlined and suggested avenues to address these challenges are provided.
46. Rawson R, Gonzales R, Brethen P. Treatment of methamphetamine use disorders: an update. J Subst Abuse Treat 2003; 23:145-150. This article is one of the key contributions to the literature. It clearly summarizes the problems faced in treating methamphetamine users and should be required reading for all clinicians.
47. Shoptaw S, Reback C, Peck J, et al. Behavioral treatment approaches for methamphetamine dependence and HIV-related sexual risk behaviors among urban gay and bisexual men. Drug Alcohol Depend (in press). This controlled trial randomly assigned methamphetamine-dependent gay and bisexual men to one of four treatment conditions to measure reductions in methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviors.
48. Volkow N, Fowler J, Wang G. The addicted human brain: insights from imaging studies. J Clin Invest 2003; 111:1444-1451. While this article is not specifically about methamphetamine, it provides a very thoughtful model explaining the effects of drugs on the brain. It details the need for a multi-prong approach to treatment that targets decreasing the rewarding properties of drugs, increasing the rewarding properties of alternative reinforcers, interfering with conditioned-learned associations, and strengthening cognitive control in treatment of addiction.
49. Rawson R. Treatment of stimulant abuse. CSAT Tip #33 (Chair, CSAT Consensus Panel). Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, MD; 1998.
50. Rawson R, Marinelli-Casey P, Anglin M, et al. A multi-site comparison of psychosocial approaches for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence. Addiction 2004; 99:708-717. This article presents the results of the largest randomized clinical trial of treatments for methamphetamine, dependence to date. It compares the Matrix Model with 'treatment as usual' in eight community outpatient settings in the western US.
51. Grabowski J, Shearer J, Merrill J, Negus S. Agonist-like, replacement pharmacotherapy for stimulant abuse and dependence. Addict Behav 2004; 29:1439-1464. This is a major contribution to replacement medication for stimulant dependence. It discusses the research to date and is very thoughtful in laying out the scientific, clinical, social, and legal issues involved in stimulant replacement.