Effects Of Methamphetamine Use Research Articles

The impact of methamphetamine use and dependence: A systematic review on the cognitive-behavioural implications for road safety

Methamphetamine (MA) users are over-represented in vehicle crash statistics but under-represented in the road safety research literature. This systematic review evaluates the current research base relating to MA use and its associated cognitive-behavioural outcomes; and aims to discuss the implications that these findings may have towards driving and future road safety research directions. Following PRISMA guidelines, a literature search was conducted on research studies using six different databases. Inclusion criteria were acute and chronic MA use in humans, with outcome variables relating to cognitive performance, behavioural tendencies, or psychopathology. Primary exclusion criteria included outcomes that were not directly translatable to road safety outcomes (e.g., health) or very specific samples that may have confounded the effects of MA use (e.g., prisoners). In total, 101 publications met the criteria for inclusion in the review. The literature showed that firstly, acute use (but not abuse) of MA may lead to cognitive enhancements, although these findings are not likely translatable to real-world use. Secondly, evidence suggested that chronic MA use is associated with cognitive impairments, self-regulatory difficulties, and increased aggression, suggesting that MA users may be at a significantly increased risk on the road, in a variety of domains. In addition, chronic MA use has been linked to a range of psychological issues (e.g., psychosis; anxiety; depression), which may exacerbate the negative cognitive-behavioural effects of MA. Finally, abstinence from MA was shown to reduce the aversive impacts of chronic MA use, although cognitive improvements have been demonstrated to take much longer, compared to behavioural and psychopathology conditions. The limitations associated with the current MA literature base were evaluated and methodological suggestions were made for future research to better understand the effect of MA use patterns on driving performance and behaviour.

Loneliness, Methamphetamine Use, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Sexual Minority Men in the COVID-19 Era.

Important gaps exist in our understanding of loneliness and biobehavioral outcomes among sexual minority men (SMM), such as faster HIV disease progression. At the same time, SMM who use methamphetamine are approximately one-third more likely than non-users to develop cardiovascular disease. This study examined associations of loneliness, stimulant use, and cardiovascular risk in SMM with and without HIV. Participants were enrolled from August 2020 to February 2022 in a 6-month prospective cohort study. The study leveraged self-report baseline data from 103 SMM, with a subset of 56 SMM that provided a blood sample to measure markers of cardiovascular risk. Loneliness showed negative bivariate associations with total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the cardiometabolic subsample (n = 56). SMM with methamphetamine use (t(101) = 2.03, p < .05; d = .42) and those that screened positive for a stimulant use disorder (t(101) = 2.07, p < .05; d = .46) had significantly higher mean loneliness scores. In linear regression analyses, negative associations of loneliness with LDL and total cholesterol were observed only among SMM who used methamphetamine. We observed lower cholesterol in SMM reporting loneliness and methamphetamine use. Thus, in addition to the observed associations of loneliness with cholesterol, there are important medical consequences of methamphetamine use including cardiovascular risk, higher HIV acquisition risk and progression, as well as stimulant overdose death. This cross-sectional study underscores the need for clinical research to develop and test interventions targeting loneliness among SMM with stimulant use disorders.

701 Effect of Methamphetamine Use on Transthoracic Echocardiographic Findings in Burn Patients

701 Effect of Methamphetamine Use on Transthoracic Echocardiographic Findings in Burn Patients

Methamphetamine (MA) use and MA-induced psychosis are associated with increasing aberrations in the compensatory immunoregulatory system, interleukin-1α, and CCL5 levels

There are only a few studies reporting on the immunological profiles of methamphetamine (MA) use, MA dependency, or MA-induced psychosis (MAP). This study measured M1 macrophage, T helper (Th)-1, Th-2, growth factor, and chemokine profiles, as well as the immune inflammatory response system (IRS) and compensatory immunoregulatory system (CIRS) in peripheral blood samples from patients with MA use (n = 51), MA dependence (n = 47), and MAP (n = 43) in comparison with controls (n = 32). We discovered that persistent MA use had a robust immunosuppressive impact on all immunological profiles. The most reliable biomarker profile of MA use is the combination of substantial CIRS suppression and a rise in selected pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely CCL27 (CTACK), CCL11 (eotaxin), and interleukin (IL)-1α. In addition, MA dependency is associated with increased immunosuppression, as demonstrated by lower stem cell factor levels and higher IL-10 levels. MAP is related to a significant decrease in all immunological profiles, particularly CIRS, and an increase in CCL5 (RANTES), IL-1α, and IL-12p70 signaling. In conclusion, long-term MA use and dependency severely undermine immune homeostasis, whereas MAP may be the consequence of increased IL-1α – CCL5 signaling superimposed on strongly depleted CIRS and Th-1 functions. The widespread immunosuppression established in longstanding MA use may increase the likelihood of infectious and immune illness or exacerbate disorders such as hepatitis and AIDS. Furthermore, elevated levels of CCL5, CCL11, CCL27, IL-1α, and/or IL-12p70 may play a role in the peripheral (atherosclerosis, cutaneous inflammation, immune aberrations, hypospermatogenesis) and central (neuroinflammation, neurotoxic, neurodegenerative, depression, anxiety, and psychosis) side effects of MA use.

4 Methamphetamine, cannabis, HIV, and their combined effects on neurocognition

Objective:Methamphetamine and cannabis are two widely used substances with possibly opposing effects on aspects of central nervous system functioning. Use of these substances is prevalent among people with HIV (PWH), though their combined effects on HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (NCI) are unknown. Adverse effects of methamphetamine use on cognition are well documented. Cannabis may disturb cognition acutely, though its longer-term effects in PWH are not well understood. Our prior analysis of people without HIV (PWoH) found that cotemporaneous cannabis use was associated with better neurocognitive outcomes among methamphetamine users. The aim of this study was to assess how lifetime cannabis and methamphetamine use disorder relate to neurocognitive outcomes in PWH.Participants and Methods:HIV-positive participants (n=472) were on average 45.6±11.5 years of age, male (86.4%), White (60.6%), and educated 13.9±2.5 years. Most participants were on ART (81.9%) and virally suppressed (70%). Participants were stratified by lifetime methamphetamine (M-/M+) and cannabis (C-/C+) DSM-IV abuse/dependence disorder into four groups: M-C- (n=187), M-C+ (n=68), M+C-, (n=82) and M+C+ (n=135) and completed a comprehensive neurobehavioral assessment. Demographically corrected T-scores and deficit scores were used for analyses. Group differences in global and domain NC performances (i.e., T-scores) were examined using multiple linear regression, holding constant covariates that were associated with study groups and/or cognition. Specifically, M+ participants displayed higher rates of Hepatitis C infection (p=.004), higher current depressive symptom scores (p&lt;.001), and higher rates of detectable plasma HIV RNA (p=.014). Multiple logistic regression was used to test for group differences in probability of neurocognitive impairment (i.e., deficit scores&gt;0.5), including the same covariates. Pooling data with a sample of HIV-negative participants (n=423), we used generalized linear mixed effect models to examine how neurocognitive performance and impairment profiles varied by methamphetamine and/or cannabis use group, HIV disease characteristics, and their interactions.Results:Compared to M+C+, M+C- performed worse on measures of executive functions (ß=-3.17), learning (ß=-3.95), memory (ß=-5.58), and working memory (ß=-4.05) and were more likely to be classified as impaired in the learning (OR=2.93), memory (OR=5.24), and working memory (OR=2.48) domains. M-C- performed better than M+C+ on measures of learning (ß=3.46) and memory (ß=5.19), but worse than M-C+ on measures of executive functions (ß=-3.90), learning (ß=-3.32), memory (ß=-3.38), and working memory (ß=-3.38). Generalized linear mixed effect models indicate that detectable plasma HIV RNA (ß=-1.85) and low nadir CD4 T-cell counts (nadir CD4&lt;200; ß=-1.07) were associated with worse neurocognitive performance, and these effects did not differ in size or direction by substance use group.Conclusions:In PWH, lifetime methamphetamine use disorder and both current and legacy markers of HIV disease severity are associated with worse neurocognitive outcomes. Cannabis use disorder does not appear to exacerbate methamphetamine-related deficits in PWH. Instead, results are consistent with findings from preclinical studies that cannabis use may protect against methamphetamine’s deleterious effects. Profile analysis models showed that participants with a history of cannabis use disorder display better overall neurocognitive performance than comparison (M-C-) participants. Mechanisms underlying a potential protective effect of cannabis may be elucidated by examining the temporal relationship between cannabis and methamphetamine consumption and neurocognitive performance.

Methamphetamine use increases the risk of cerebral small vessel disease in young patients with acute ischemic stroke

Methamphetamine use causes spikes in blood pressure. Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). The aim of this study is to investigate whether methamphetamine use increases the risk of cSVD. Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke at our medical center were screened for methamphetamine use and evidence of cSVD on MRI of the brain. Methamphetamine use was identified by self-reported history and/or positive urine drug screen. Propensity score matching was used to select non-methamphetamine controls. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of methamphetamine use on cSVD. Among 1369 eligible patients, 61 (4.5%) were identified to have a history of methamphetamine use and/or positive urine drug screen. Compared with the non-methamphetamine group (n = 1306), the patients with methamphetamine abuse were significantly younger (54.5 ± 9.7 vs. 70.5 ± 12.4, p < 0.001), male (78.7% vs. 54.0%, p < 0.001) and White (78.7% vs. 50.4%, p < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis showed that methamphetamine use was associated with increased white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, and total burden of cSVD. The association was independent of age, sex, concomitant cocaine use, hyperlipidemia, acute hypertension, and stroke severity. Our findings suggest that methamphetamine use increases the risk of cSVD in young patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Brief Report: Impact of Methamphetamine Use and Rectal STIs on Systemic and Rectal Mucosal Inflammation.

Methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with sexual risk behavior as well as systemic and mucosal inflammation, suggesting parallel biological and behavioral mechanisms of HIV transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) who use MA. Data evaluating the combined biological effects of MA use with concomitant rectal gonococcal and/or chlamydial (GC/CT) infection on inflammation are limited. Secondary analysis of stored rectal and plasma specimens from 100 MSM participating in an NIDA-funded longitudinal cohort in Los Angeles, CA. This cross-sectional analysis evaluated systemic and rectal inflammatory markers under 2 conditions: (1) recent MA use (by urine drug screen) and (2) rectal GC/CT infection. We evaluated 50 participants with recent MA use (25 with and 25 without rectal GC/CT) and 50 MSM without MA use (25 with and 25 without rectal GC/CT). Log-transformed plasma and rectal immune markers were regressed on MA exposure and rectal GC/CT, controlling for HIV status and age. Median age was 32 (range 19-45) years, and 58% of participants were living with HIV. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1ß, and rectal IL-6 were associated with rectal GC/CT and MA use, independent of HIV status. Higher levels of rectal TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-17a were associated with rectal GC/CT. Systemic and rectal inflammation was positively associated with rectal GC/CT and MA use. Condomless sex in the setting of GC/CT- and MA-induced immune activation may provide a basis for synergistic biobehavioral mechanisms that promote HIV/STI transmission among MSM who use MA.

Associations and relative risks of pulmonary hypertension and lung diseases in individuals with methamphetamine use disorder

ObjectiveMethamphetamine causes considerable short- and long-term adverse health effects. Our aim was to assess the effects of methamphetamine use on pulmonary hypertension and lung diseases at the population level. MethodsThis population-based retrospective study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2000 and 2018 that included 18,118 individuals with methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and 90,590 matched participants of the same age and sex without substance use disorder as the non-exposed group. A conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate associations of methamphetamine use with pulmonary hypertension and lung diseases such as lung abscess, empyema, pneumonia, emphysema, pleurisy, pneumothorax, or pulmonary hemorrhage. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of pulmonary hypertension and hospitalization due to lung diseases were determined between the methamphetamine group and non-methamphetamine group using negative binomial regression models. ResultsDuring an 8-year observation period, 32 (0.2%) individuals with MUD and 66 (0.1%) non-methamphetamine participants suffered from pulmonary hypertension, and 2652 (14.6%) individuals with MUD and 6157 (6.8%) non-methamphetamine participants suffered from lung diseases. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities, individuals with MUD were 1.78 times (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–2.95) more likely to have pulmonary hypertension and 1.98 times (95% CI = 1.88–2.08) more likely to have a lung disease, especially emphysema, lung abscess, and pneumonia in descending order. Furthermore, compared to the non-methamphetamine group, the methamphetamine group was associated with higher risks of hospitalization caused by pulmonary hypertension and lung diseases. The respective IRRs were 2.79 and 1.67. Individuals with polysubstance use disorder were associated with higher risks of empyema, lung abscess, and pneumonia compared to individuals with MUD alone, with respective adjusted odds ratios of 2.96, 2.21, and 1.67. However, pulmonary hypertension and emphysema did not differ significantly between MUD individuals with or without polysubstance use disorder. ConclusionsIndividuals with MUD were associated with higher risks of pulmonary hypertension and lung diseases. Clinicians need to ensure that a methamphetamine exposure history is obtained as part of the workup for these pulmonary diseases and provide timely management for this contributing factor.

Neural Correlates of Impaired Cognitive Control in Individuals with Methamphetamine Dependence: An fMRI Study

Impaired cognitive and behavioral control has often been observed in people who use methamphetamine (MA). However, a comprehensive understanding of the neural substrates underlying these impairments is still lacking. The goal of the present study was to study the neural correlates of impaired cognitive control in individuals with MA dependence according to DSM-IV criteria. Eighteen individuals with MA dependence and 21 healthy controls were investigated using Stroop task, fMRI, and an impulsivity questionnaire. Overall, patients were found to have significantly poorer accuracy on the Stroop task and higher self-rated impulsivity. Comparing brain activations during the task, decreased activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC), and dorsal striatum was observed in individuals with MA dependence, compared to healthy controls. Altered fMRI signal in DLPFC and aMCC significantly correlated with impaired behavioral task performance in individuals with MA dependence. Furthermore, significantly lower and pronounced brain activations in the MA group were additionally detected in several sensory cortical regions, i.e., in the visual, auditory, and somatosensory cortices. The results of the current study provide evidence for the negative impact of chronic crystal meth consumption on the proper functioning of the fronto-cingulate and striatal brain regions, presumably underlying the often-observed deficits in executive functions in individuals with MA use disorder. As a new finding, we also revealed abnormal activation in several sensory brain regions, suggesting the negative effect of MA use on the proper neural activity of these regions. This blunted activation could be the cause of the observed deficits in executive functions and the associated altered brain activation in higher-level brain networks.

Morgellon's Disease Due To Methamphetamine Use: A Case Report

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant substance, the use of which has recently become widespread worldwide. Various serious side effects have been reported in the literature due to use. In this case report, we present a 35-year-old male patient who applied to the dermatology outpatient clinic with skin lesions and was diagnosed with Morgellon's disease due to methamphetamine use during his follow-up. In this case report, we emphasize the need for more research on the side effects of METH use.

Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Methamphetamine Use Disorder: A Review Article

Context: Methamphetamine (MA) use and the mortality it causes are increasing worldwide. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the destructive effects of MA use are complex; however, there is much evidence that MA induces the dysfunction of monoaminergic transmission and causes oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, gliosis, and apoptosis. These toxic effects are associated with cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity and with an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, which altogether manifest themselves in clinical symptoms, such as neuropsychiatric disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Evidence Acquisition: There is no approved treatment for methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) despite all efforts made to date. The behavioral and pharmacological approaches currently used for the treatment of MUD are not completely effective. In this study, it is hypothesized that the stimulation of the vagus nerve and biological pathways underlying the processes of this stimulation might be effective as adjunctive therapy. Results: Despite the potential effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) to improve MUD, no study has yet examined the clinical potential effects of VNS in patients with the disorder. Conclusions: Therefore, further studies, including experimental and clinical trials, are needed to examine the effects of VNS on MUD.

Differential alterations in brain structural network organization during addiction between adolescents and adults.

The adolescent brain may be susceptible to the influences of illicit drug use. While compensatory network reorganization is a unique developmental characteristic that may restore several brain disorders, its association with methamphetamine (MA) use-induced damage during adolescence is unclear. Using independent component (IC) analysis on structural magnetic resonance imaging data, spatially ICs described as morphometric networks were extracted to examine the effects of MA use on gray matter (GM) volumes and network module connectivity in adolescents (51 MA users v. 60 controls) and adults (54 MA users v. 60 controls). MA use was related to significant GM volume reductions in the default mode, cognitive control, salience, limbic, sensory and visual network modules in adolescents. GM volumes were also reduced in the limbic and visual network modules of the adult MA group as compared to the adult control group. Differential patterns of structural connectivity between the basal ganglia (BG) and network modules were found between the adolescent and adult MA groups. Specifically, adult MA users exhibited significantly reduced connectivity of the BG with the default network modules compared to control adults, while adolescent MA users, despite the greater extent of network GM volume reductions, did not show alterations in network connectivity relative to control adolescents. Our findings suggest the potential of compensatory network reorganization in adolescent brains in response to MA use. The developmental characteristic to compensate for MA-induced brain damage can be considered as an age-specific therapeutic target for adolescent MA users.

Combined prior chronic methamphetamine treatment and gp120 expression reduce PPI in aged male but not female mice

Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is highly prevalent among people with HIV and is a significant public health problem. Furthermore, people with HIV are living longer and using drugs such as METH even into old age, making it important to understand the effects of METH use and aging in this population. HIV, METH, and aging negatively impact a variety of brain functions, including sensorimotor gating (i.e. - automatic, pre-conscious information processing). Sensorimotor gating is often measured using prepulse inhibition (PPI), a paradigm that can be conducted in animals, thereby allowing for preclinical studies. Little is known about how HIV, METH, and aging interact to affect PPI. The goal of this study was therefore to examine how METH affects PPI in aged gp120 mice, a mouse model of HIV. PPI was measured at 8, 14, and 22 months in male and female wild type (WT) and gp120 mice. PPI was also measured during and after METH treatment at 23–24 months. Aging was associated with decreased PPI in both sexes and genotypes. Combined prior METH treatment and gp120 expression caused the greatest reduction in PPI in aged male mice. Prior METH treatment decreased PPI in aged WT female mice, but not aged gp120 female mice. Overall, these results suggest the effects of HIV and METH on information processing seem to be influenced by age and sex. Combined HIV and METH may impair information processing in older men, but not older women.

Methamphetamine-Induced Sleep Impairments and Subsequent Slow-Wave and Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Rebound in Male Rhesus Monkeys.

Use of amphetamine-type stimulants is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes, with disturbed sleep being one of the most prominent consequences of methamphetamine use. However, the extent to which methamphetamine alters sleep architecture, and whether methamphetamine-induced sleep impairment is associated with next-day sleep rebound effects, has received relatively little investigation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of acute morning methamphetamine administration on sleep parameters in adult male rhesus monkeys (N = 4) using a fully-implantable telemetry system. Monkeys were prepared with telemetry devices that continuously monitored electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG) and electrooculography (EOG) throughout the night. We investigated the effects of morning (10h00) administration of methamphetamine (0.01–0.3 mg/kg, i.m.) on sleep during the night of the injection. In addition, we investigated sleep during the subsequent night in order to assess the possible emergence of sleep rebound effects. Methamphetamine administration dose-dependently increased sleep latency and wake time after sleep onset (WASO). Methamphetamine also decreased total sleep time, which was reflected by a decrease in total time spent in N2, slow-wave (N3) and REM sleep stages, while increasing the percentage of total sleep time spent in sleep stage N1. Importantly, methamphetamine decreased time spent in N3 and REM sleep even at doses that did not significantly decrease total sleep time. Sleep rebound effects were observed on the second night after methamphetamine administration, with increased total sleep time reflected by a selective increase in time spent in sleep stages N3 and REM, as well as a decrease in REM sleep latency. Our findings show that methamphetamine administered 8 h prior to the inactive (dark) phase induces marked changes in sleep architecture in rhesus monkeys, even at doses that do not change sleep duration, and that sleep rebound effects are observed the following day for both N3 and REM sleep stages.

Karakteristik dan Derajat Keparahan Atrisi pada Narapidana Pengguna Sabu-Sabu (Methamphetamine) di Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Kelas IIA Kabupaten Jember

Using methamphetamine has negative effects on oral health. The negative effect of methamphetamine use is bruxism which causes tooth attrition. It is able to cause masticatory disorders which affect the nutrient intake and reduce the quality of life. Methamphetamine prisoners in Prison Class IIA Jember who represent the methamphetamine users in Jember Regency are group of people who are susceptible to have tooth attrition because of their history using methamphetamine. This research aimed to determine the characteristics and description of severity degree of tooth attrition of methamphetamine prisoners in Prison Class IIA Jember. Methods: This is a description research which use cross sectional approach and was conducted in Prison Class IIA Jember in January 2020. We observed and interviewed 53 prisoners in Prison Class IIA Jember as respondent. Meanwhile, the attrition severity degree was examined by using the clinical judgement with benchmark of occlusal tooth wear index, while prisoners’ characteristics obtained from questionnaire analysis. Most of the respondents were male with the highest level of education is Senior high school, never attended Islamic school based, never get educated in Islamic boarding school, a frequency user with duration of drug use less than 1.5 years, using inhalation method, first experience using drugs in the late teens, unawareness of bruxism habit, experienced sensitive teeth, and keen to eat hard-textured food. The highest severe degree of attrition is moderate with a percentage of 43.4%. The inmates who use methamphetamine have several characteristics which may interfere health and lead to attrition.

Accumulation of HIV-1 Drug Resistance Mutations and Methamphetamine Use.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) non-adherence and methamphetamine use are associated with higher HIV drug resistance prevalence. How they affect drug resistance mutations accumulation is less studied. We assessed factors associated with drug resistance mutations accumulation. We evaluated HIV chronically-infected patients from a clinic-based research cohort on first-line ART regimens with genotype results within 30 days of baseline. Methamphetamine use and ART adherence were self-reported at each study visit. High ART adherence was defined as 0-5% missed doses in the last 30 days. One-hundred twenty-five patients contributed 496 study visits. At baseline, 81% of patients reported high ART adherence; 90% reported no methamphetamine use in the prior 4 months, 8% used monthly or less and 2% used daily or weekly. Methamphetamine users and non-users had similarly high ART adherence (p=0.93). Adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) of drug resistance mutations accumulation was 2.04 (95% CI 0.64, 6.46) for daily/weekly users and 1.71 (95% CI 0.66, 4.42) for patients with monthly or less users, compared to non-users. aIRR was 0.71 (95% CI 0.44, 1.15) with >5-10% missed ART doses and 1.21 (95% CI 0.80, 1.83) with >10% missed doses compared to 0-5% missed doses. We found no strong evidence for the effect of methamphetamine use and ART adherence on drug resistance mutations accumulation. Research cohort patients may have been more engaged in care and treatment adherent than non-cohort patients. Our findings suggest methamphetamine use might not lead to treatment failure among HIV patients who are otherwise engaged in care.

An environmental scan of impacts and interventions for women with methamphetamine use in pregnancy and their children.

BackgroundIndigenous women are overrepresented among people who use (PWU) methamphetamine (MA) due to colonialism and intergenerational trauma. Prenatal methamphetamine exposure (PME) is increasing as the number of PWUMA of childbearing age grows. Yet impacts of MA in pregnancy and effective interventions are not yet well understood.ObjectiveWe conducted an environmental scan of published and grey literature (2010–2020) to determine effects of MA use in pregnancy for mothers and their offspring, effective interventions and implications for Indigenous women.Search strategyA strategic search of Ovid Medline, Embase, ProQuest—Public Health and CINAHL databases identified academic literature, while Google and ProQuest—Public Health identified grey literature.Selection criteriaArticle selection was based on titles, abstracts and keywords. The time frame captured recent MA composition and excluded literature impacted by coronavirus disease 2019.Data collection and analysisData extracted from 80 articles identified 463 results related to 210 outcomes, and seven interventions. Analysis focused on six categories: maternal, neonatal/infant, cognitive, behavioral, neurological, and interventions.Main resultsMaternal outcomes were more congruent than child outcomes. The most prevalent outcomes were general neonatal/infant outcomes.ConclusionA lack of Indigenous‐specific research on PME and interventions highlights a need for future research that incorporates relevant historical and sociocultural contexts.

Methamphetamine use among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States

BackgroundRecent trends show methamphetamine use is increasing in the United States. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities face health disparities compared to the population overall, including some of the highest rates of illegal drug use. Herein, we examined the prevalence of methamphetamine use among AI/ANs and characteristics associated with methamphetamine use among AI/AN people. MethodsWe examined past-year methamphetamine use from 2015 to 2019 between AI/ANs and the general non-institutionalized U.S. population using the National Survey of Drug Use and Health. Then, we identify potential subgroups of AI/AN people at elevated risk of methamphetamine use across factors including demographic, social determinants, mental health, and co-occurring substance use. ResultsA total of 214,505 people, aged 18 or older, were surveyed between 2015 and 2019; 3,075 (0.55%) identified as AI/AN. An estimated 26.2 out of every 1000 AI/ANs used methamphetamine compared to 6.8 out of every 1000 in the general U.S. population. Compared to methamphetamine use in the general population, AI/AN methamphetamine use tends to cluster in rural areas and among those with low income. AI/ANs who use methamphetamine were more likely to be male, middle-aged, low income, have severe mental illness, and misuse other substances than AI/AN people who did not use methamphetamine. DiscussionAI/ANs experience a disproportionate amount of methamphetamine use in the U.S. To address this disparity, multifaceted, broad prevention, harm reduction, and treatment efforts are needed that leverage cultural strengths to mitigate the consequences of methamphetamine use.

Methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms: findings from a New Zealand longitudinal birth cohort.

This study examined the association between methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms in a New Zealand general population birth cohort (n = 1265 at birth). At age 18, 21, 25, 30, and 35, participants reported on their methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms in the period since the previous interview. Generalized estimating equations modelled the association between methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms (percentage reporting any symptom, and number of symptoms per participant). Confounding factors included childhood individual characteristics, family socioeconomic circumstances and family functioning. Long term effects of methamphetamine use on psychotic symptoms were assessed by comparing the incidence of psychotic symptoms at age 30-35 for those with and without a history of methamphetamine use prior to age 30. After adjusting for confounding factors and time-varying covariate factors including concurrent cannabis use, methamphetamine use was associated with a modest increase in psychosis risk over five waves of data (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.72 for the percentage measure; and IRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02-1.50 for the symptom count measure). The increased risk of psychotic symptoms was concentrated among participants who had used at least weekly at any point (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.21-6.69). Use of methamphetamine less than weekly was not associated with increased psychosis risk. We found no evidence for a persistent vulnerability to psychosis in the absence of continuing methamphetamine use. Methamphetamine use is associated with increased risk of psychotic symptoms in the general population. Increased risk is chiefly confined to people who ever used regularly (at least weekly), and recently.

Methamphetamine facilitates pulmonary and splenic tissue injury and reduces T cell infiltration in C57BL/6 mice after antigenic challenge

Methamphetamine (METH) is a strong addictive central nervous system stimulant. METH abuse can alter biological processes and immune functions necessary for host defense. The acquisition and transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and other communicable diseases are possible serious infectious consequences of METH use. METH also accumulates extensively in major organs. Despite METH being a major public health and safety problem globally, there are limited studies addressing the impact of this popular recreational psychostimulant on tissue adaptive immune responses after exposure to T cell dependent [ovalbumin (OVA)] and independent [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] antigens. We hypothesized that METH administration causes pulmonary and splenic tissue alterations and reduces T cell responses to OVA and LPS in vivo, suggesting the increased susceptibility of users to infection. Using a murine model of METH administration, we showed that METH causes tissue injury, apoptosis, and alters helper and cytotoxic T cell recruitment in antigen challenged mice. METH also reduces the expression and distribution of CD3 and CD28 molecules on the surface of human Jurkat T cells. In addition, METH decreases the production of IL-2 in these T-like cells, suggesting a negative impact on T lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Our findings demonstrate the pleotropic effects of METH on cell-mediated immunity. These alterations have notable implications on tissue homeostasis and the capacity of the host to respond to infection.