Methamphetamine-dependent Participants Research Articles

Non-treatment laboratory stress- and cue-reactivity studies are associated with decreased substance use among drug-dependent individuals

Introduction Human laboratory paradigms for examining stress- or cue-reactivity in substance-dependent individuals often involve exposure to pharmacological, psychosocial or physical laboratory procedures or drug paraphernalia. This study examines whether participation in such studies alters drug-seeking behavior and which patient attributes contribute to increased use. Methods In two separate studies, the relationship between participation and drug use post-study were examined. Cocaine-dependent participants received 1 μg/kg of corticotropin releasing hormone intravenously, underwent the Trier Social Stress Task, and were exposed to drug cues and various measures obtained. Cocaine use for 90 days prior and 28 days following the study was assessed. Methamphetamine-dependent participants were exposed to drug cues and various measures obtained. Methamphetamine use for 90 days prior and 14 days following the study was assessed. Weekly drug use was modeled using a 2-state hidden Markov model assuming two possible underlying states at each week. Bayesian estimation was used. Results are presented as posterior mean odds ratios (OR) and 95% credible intervals (CI). Results Participation decreased the odds of remaining in or transitioning to the high use state (cocaine study OR = 0.04 [CI = 0.01, 0.11]; methamphetamine study OR = 0.39 [CI = 0.07, 1.70]). In the cocaine study, older age increased the odds of remaining in or transitioning into the high use state (1.66 [CI = 0.99, 2.96]). In the methamphetamine study, male gender increased the odds (2.70 [CI = 1.10, 6.17]). Conclusion Stress and cue exposure paradigms were associated with a decreased odds of drug use following participation.

Quantitative EEG Abnormalities are Associated With Memory Impairment in Recently Abstinent Methamphetamine-Dependent Individuals

Quantitative EEG Abnormalities are Associated With Memory Impairment in Recently Abstinent Methamphetamine-Dependent Individuals

Modafinil boosts prediction error-related signals in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway of methamphetamine-dependent and healthy control participants

Modafinil boosts prediction error-related signals in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway of methamphetamine-dependent and healthy control participants

Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of bupropion for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence

Objective To compare bupropion to placebo for reducing methamphetamine (MA) use, increasing retention, and reducing the severity of depressive symptoms and MA-cravings. A secondary objective compared bupropion to placebo for reducing cigarette smoking among MA dependent participants. Methods Following a 2-week, non-medication baseline screening period, 73 treatment-seeking MA dependent participants were randomly assigned to bupropion sustained release (150 mg twice daily; N = 36) or placebo (twice daily; N = 37) for 12-weeks under double-blind conditions. Participants attended clinic thrice weekly to provide urine samples analyzed for MA-metabolite, to complete research measures and assessments, and to receive contingency management and weekly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions. Results There were no statistically significant effects for bupropion relative to placebo on MA use verified by urine drug screens, for reducing the severity of depressive symptoms or MA-cravings, or on study retention. In a post hoc analysis, there was a statistically significant effect of bupropion treatment on MA use among participants with lighter (0–2 MA-positive urines), but not heavier (3–6 MA-positive urines) MA use during baseline (OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.61–4.93, p < 0.001 for MA-free week with bupropion among light users). Bupropion treatment was also associated with significantly reduced cigarette smoking, by almost five cigarettes per day ( p = 0.0002). Conclusion Bupropion was no more effective than placebo in reducing MA use in planned analyses, though bupropion did reduce cigarette smoking. Post hoc findings of an effect for bupropion among baseline light, but not heavy, MA users suggests further evaluation of bupropion for light-MA users is warranted.

A comprehensive assessment of the safety of intravenous methamphetamine administration during treatment with selegiline

Selegiline ( l-deprenyl) is a selective irreversible monoamine oxidase B inhibitor shown to be effective in the treatment of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Recent evidence suggests that selegiline may also be useful in treating specific aspects of cocaine and nicotine dependence, generating interest in this compound for the treatment of methamphetamine addiction. To investigate this, we performed a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety of selegiline treatment (as compared to placebo), concurrent with intravenous methamphetamine (15 or 30 mg). Secondary study objectives included determinations of plasma levels of selegiline and its metabolites, evaluating whether selegiline administration altered the pharmacokinetics of methamphetamine or its metabolites, and evaluating whether selegiline treatment alters the subjective responses to methamphetamine. Twenty-four methamphetamine-dependent participants were randomized to treatment, and 9 of these ( N = 5 selegiline, N = 4 placebo) completed the entire protocol. The principal finding from this study was that intravenous administration of moderate doses of methamphetamine was safely tolerated during treatment with selegiline. No participants had electrocardiogram changes, and there were no meaningful differences in any laboratory values either between groups at screening or as a result of the study procedures. In general, adverse events were mild or moderate, and no subjects were discontinued due to adverse events or serious adverse events. Selegiline treatment did not enhance any of the cardiovascular changes (heart rate, blood pressure) produced by methamphetamine administration. Selegiline treatment slightly increased methamphetamine associated “bad effects” but did not alter any other subjective effects. The elimination half-life of methamphetamine was ∼ 12 h, and selegiline did not alter clearance of methamphetamine. The available data suggest that selegiline is likely to be safe if used as a pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine dependence.