Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was is to compare brain structure volume, including cortical and subcortical regions of adolescents- methamphetamine users versus non-users.
 Materials and Methods: The study was designed to be cross-sectional, and structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained from the participants, including ten methamphetamine users and nine non-users. volBrain program was used to evaluate the images. 
 Results: The results showed that methamphetamine users altered brain structures- temporal, parietal lobes, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, and thalamus volume. Also, the statistically significant difference in the volume between methamphetamine users and non-users was found in subcortical regions except putamen by age. Volumetric analysis of methamphetamine use in adolescents confirms a reduction in temporal lobes (methamphetamine users M±SD=3.43±0.18 non-users M±SD=3.48±0.22) and parietal lobes (methamphetamine users M±SD=2.23±0.24, non-users M±SD=2.37±0.33) in cortical regions in the brain as tissue volume. However, methamphetamine uses caused an increase in volume in the subcortical regions.
 Conclusion: Methamphetamine use appears to show decreased volume in the brain regions with age, which has adverse effects on cognitive, emotional, memory, and social abilities.

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