In acute-phase methamphetamine withdrawal, metabolic brain abnormalities develop that are similar to those seen with mood disorders, which suggests treatment for depression and anxiety may be useful in some addiction patients, according to an article in the January issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

"Methamphetamine abuse is a grave problem that can lead to serious health conditions including brain damage, memory loss, psychotic-like behavior, heart damage, hepatitis, and HIV transmission," said Dr. Nora D. Volkow of the National Institutes of Health. "Currently, no medication exists to treat abuse or addiction to amphetamines or amphetamine-like compounds; however, drug counselors and other health professionals have successfully used behavioral interventions to treat addiction. Treatment outcomes may improve if associated mental conditions are addressed concurrently with addiction."

Dr. Edythe London and her American colleagues used positron emission tomography (PET) to compare glucose metabolism in the brains of 17 methamphetamine abusers who had stopped using the drug 4 to 7 days before their imaging study, and 18 nonabusing control adults. The methamphetamine abusers averaged a 10-year history of drug abuse that included consuming an average of 4 grams of methamphetamine per week. Participants said they had used the drug at least 18 of the 30 days preceding enrollment.

All participants responded to questions about drug use and underwent a scan to measure glucose metabolism while they performed an attention task. On the day of the scan, all participants also rated symptoms of depression and anxiety. The methamphetamine abusers also rated drug cravings within 48 hours of the scan. The scientists found that methamphetamine abusers reported higher ratings of depression and anxiety than nonabusers.

The PET scans showed that the 2 groups exhibited significant differences in glucose metabolism in specific brain regions. In methamphetamine abusers, glucose metabolism was lower in brain regions linked to depressive disorders, depressed mood, and sadness. It was higher in brain regions linked to anxiety and drug cravings.

"Improving our awareness of substance abuse as a condition that does not exist in isolation will contribute to more effective prevention and treatment interventions," said Volkow.