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Methamphetamine and the Brain: New Knowledge; New Treatments

Methamphetamine and the Brain: New Knowledge; New Treatments. Richard A. Rawson, Ph.D Adjunct Associate Professor Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior David Geffen School of Medicine University of California at Los Angeles www.uclaisap.org rrawson@mednet.ucla.edu

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Methamphetamine and the Brain: New Knowledge; New Treatments

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  1. Methamphetamine and the Brain: New Knowledge; New Treatments Richard A. Rawson, Ph.D Adjunct Associate Professor Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior David Geffen School of Medicine University of California at Los Angeles www.uclaisap.org rrawson@mednet.ucla.edu Supported by: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Pacific Southwest Technology Transfer Center (SAMHSA) International Network of Treatment and Rehabilitation Resource Centres (UNODC)

  2. Methamphetamine The Drug

  3. Forms of Methamphetamine Methamphetamine Powder IDU Description: Beige/yellowy/off-white powder Base / Paste Methamphetamine IDU Description: ‘Oily’, ‘gunky’, ‘gluggy’ gel, moist, waxy Crystalline Methamphetamine IDU Description: White/clear crystals/rocks; ‘crushed glass’ / ‘rock salt’

  4. EPHEDRINE H H H C C N CH CH OH 3 3

  5. Methamphetamine The US Epidemic

  6. According to surveys and estimates by WHO and UNODC, methamphetamine is the most widely used illicit drug in the world except for cannabis. World wide it is estimated there are over 26 million regular users of amphetamine/methamphetamine, as compared to approximately 16 million heroin users and 14 million cocaine users Scope of the Methamphetamine Problem Worldwide

  7. The Methamphetamine Epidemic:Admissions/100,000: 1992-2003 It keeps going up

  8. Figure 1. Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admission Rate per 100,000 Population Aged 12 or Older: 1992-2002 Source: 2002 SAMHSA Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS).

  9. Figure 2. Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admissions, by Route of Administration: 1992-2002 Source: 2002 SAMHSA Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS).

  10. The Eastward Spread of Methamphetamine

  11. > 58 35 - 58 12 - 35 < 12 No data Primary Amphetamine/Methamphetamine TEDS Admission Rates: 1992(per 100,000 aged 12 and over)

  12. > 58 35 - 58 12 - 35 < 12 No data Primary Amphetamine/Methamphetamine TEDS Admission Rates: 1997(per 100,000 aged 12 and over) < 12

  13. < 5 60-126 5 - 59 127+ Primary Amphetamine/Methamphetamine TEDS Admission Rates: 2003(per 100,000 aged 12 and over) Incomplete Data

  14. Methamphetamine: A Growing Menace in Rural America • In 1998, rural areas nationwide reported 949 methamphetamine labs. • Last year, 9,385 were reported. • This year, 4,589 rural labs had been reported as of July 26. • Source: El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), U.S. DEA

  15. Methamphetamine Medical/Psychiatric Effects and Consequences

  16. Cardiovascular problems • ↑ Heart rate • Palpitations • Arrhythmia • ↑ Blood pressure • Chest Pain • Acute coronary syndrome • Valve thickening

  17. Neurological problems • Seizures • Stroke • Cerebral hemorrhage • Cerebral vasculitis • Mydriasis

  18. Respiratory problems • Dyspnea • Pulmonary hypertension • Pleuritic chest pain

  19. Other problems • Eye ulcers • Over-heating • Rhabdomyolysis • Obstetric complications • Anorexia / weight loss • Tooth wear, cavities • “Speed bumps”

  20. Interpersonal trauma Assault Gunshot Knife Motor Vehicles Suicide attempts Trauma

  21. Methamphetamine The Brain

  22. A Major Reason People Take a Drug is they Like What It Does to Their Brains

  23. FOOD SEX 200 200 NAc shell 150 150 DA Concentration (% Baseline) 100 100 15 % of Basal DA Output 10 Empty Copulation Frequency 50 Box Feeding 5 0 0 Scr Scr Scr Scr 0 60 120 180 Bas Female 1 Present Female 2 Present Mounts Time (min) Sample Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Intromissions Ejaculations Source: Di Chiara et al. Source: Fiorino and Phillips Natural Rewards Elevate Dopamine Levels

  24. Effects of Drugs on Dopamine Release 1500 1000 500 0 COCAINE METHAMPHETAMINE Accumbens 400 Accumbens DA 300 DOPAC HVA % of Basal Release % Basal Release 200 100 0 0 1 2 3hr Time After Cocaine Time After Methamphetamine 250 NICOTINE ETHANOL 250 Accumbens Dose (g/kg ip) 200 Accumbens 200 Caudate 0.25 0.5 150 % of Basal Release 1 2.5 % of Basal Release 150 100 0 1 2 3 hr 100 0 0 0 1 2 3 4hr Time After Nicotine Time After Ethanol Source: Shoblock and Sullivan; Di Chiara and Imperato

  25. Prolonged Drug Use Changes the Brain In Fundamental and Long-Lasting Ways

  26. Decreased dopamine transporter binding in METH users resembles that in Parkinson’s Disease patients Control Methamphetamine PD Source: McCann U.D.. et al.,Journal of Neuroscience, 18, pp. 8417-8422, October 15, 1998. .

  27. Partial Recovery of Brain Dopamine Transporters in Methamphetamine (METH) Abuser After Protracted Abstinence 3 0 ml/gm METH Abuser (1 month detox) Normal Control METH Abuser (24 months detox) Source: Volkow, ND et al., Journal of Neuroscience 21, 9414-9418, 2001.

  28. Prolonged Drug Use Changes the Brain In Fundamental and Long-Lasting Ways

  29. My sexual drive is increased by the use of … (Rawson et al., 2002)

  30. My sexual activity is increased by the use of … (Rawson et al., 2002)

  31. My sexual performance is improved by the use of … (Rawson et al., 2002)

  32. Methamphetamine Treatment

  33. MA Treatment Issues • Acute MA Overdose • Acute MA Psychosis • MA “Withdrawal” • Initiating MA Abstinence • MA Relapse Prevention • Protracted Cognitive Impairment and Symptoms of Paranoia

  34. MA “Withdrawal” - Depression - Paranoia - Fatigue - Cognitive Impairment - Anxiety - Agitation - Anergia - Confusion • Duration: 2 Days - 2 Weeks

  35. Medications • Currently, there are no medications that can quickly and safely reverse life threatening MA overdose. • There are no medications that can reliably reduce paranoia and psychotic symptoms, that contribute to episodes of dangerous and violent behavior associated with MA use.

  36. Bupropion: An efficacious pharmacotherapy? • Newton et al 2005 Bupropion reduces craving and reinforcing effects of meth • Elkashef (recently completed) Bupropion reduces meth use in an outpatient trial, with particularly strong effect with less severe users.

  37. Special treatment consideration should be made for the following groups of individuals: • Female MA users (higher rates of depression; very high rates of previous and present sexual and physical abuse; responsibilities for children). • Injection MA users (very high rates of psychiatric symptoms; severe withdrawal syndromes; high rates of hepatitis). • MA users who take MA daily or in very high doses. • Homeless, chronically mentally ill and/or individuals with high levels of psychiatric symptoms at admission. • Individuals under the age of 21. • Gay men (at very high risk for HIV and hepatitis).

  38. Treatments for Stimulant-use Disorders with Empirical Support • Motivational Interviewing • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) • Community Reinforcement Approach • Contingency Management • 12 Step Facilitation • Matrix Model • Brief Interventions

  39. Methamphetamine Treatment: Controlled Clinical Trials Contingency Management Matrix Model

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