Treatment outcome, cognitive function, and psychopathology in methamphetamine users compared to other substance users.

Background: The rising number of people using methamphetamine leads to an increasing need for treatment options for this patient group. Evidence-based research on the efficacy of treatment programs for methamphetamine users is limited. Due to specific characteristics of methamphetamine users, the question arises whether established treatment methods for individuals using other substances can be effective for the treatment of methamphetamine dependence as well.

Inhalant Abuse of Ethyl Chloride Spray: A Case Report.

Ethyl chloride spray, which is usually used to relieve pain after injuries, is increasingly being used as a sniffing alternative. The number of people using this is rising due to its easy availability, cost-effectiveness and legality. The high lipid solubility of ethyl chloride leads to a rapid absorption of it in the lungs.

Just "Like Coffee" or Neuroenhancement by Stimulants?

Pharmacological neuroenhancement (PN) is a topic of increasing importance and prevalence among students. However, there is a lack of differentiating PN substances, according to their psychoactive effects. In particular, there is a lack of data about PN by caffeinated drinks, even if coffee is a common and broadly used Neuroenhancer because of its cognitively enhancing effects regarding wakefulness, alertness and concentration.

Methamphetamine withdrawal and the restoration of cognitive functions - a study over a course of 6 months abstinence.

A continuously rising consumption of methamphetamine (MA) has been suggested to be associated with increasing cognitive dysfunction. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between cognitive functions and gender, drug using patterns and treatment-attending profiles of recently abstinent MA users over the course of six months abstinence. Data were collected from 108 participants in two inpatient rehabilitation centers.

Associations between methamphetamine use, psychiatric comorbidities and treatment outcome in two inpatient rehabilitation centers.

The use of methamphetamine is spreading globally and provokes the need for effective treatment options. Previous research showed increased psychiatric comorbidities in methamphetamine users, but its impact on treatment success is still unclear. This study investigates data from two German addiction rehabilitation centers including 108 methamphetamine using individuals.

Short-term changes in global methylation and hydroxymethylation during alcohol detoxification.

Alcohol dependence is a common public health problem and epigenetics may offer new aspects in understanding the biological and genetic underpinnings and improve treatment of this complex disease. Supposedly, methylation and hydroxymethylation are altered in brain tissues and in synapse-related genes due to chronic alcohol intake and during withdrawal. To assess potential epigenetic changes after cessation of chronic alcohol intake, we compared 23 alcohol-dependent individuals during inpatient alcohol detoxification with 13 carefully matched controls.

Effects of stimulant drug use on the dopaminergic system: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo neuroimaging studies.

Background: Stimulant drugs can cause persistent changes in the brain. Imaging studies show that these changes are most apparent in dopamine transporter (DAT) or receptor availability within the striatum.

Methods: This work focuses on influences of stimulant use on dopaminergic function assessed using nuclear-medicine imaging (PET/SPECT).

The Impact of the Opioid Antagonist Naloxone on Experimentally Induced Craving in Nicotine-Dependent Individuals.

Objective: Preclinical and clinical findings suggest a substantial association of the endogenous opioid system in nicotine dependence. The present study investigates the possible dose-dependent influence of naloxone, an unspecific opioid-receptor-antagonist, combined with cue exposure on the physiological state, locomotor activity, craving and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in nicotine-dependent humans.

Methods: Twenty nicotine-dependent, outpatient participants were deprived of nicotine for over 4 h, before receiving challenges with naloxone (1.

Effects of sedative drug use on the dopamine system: a systematic review and meta-analysis of in vivo neuroimaging studies.

Use of alcohol, cannabis and opioids is highly prevalent and is associated with global disease burden and high economic costs. The exact pathophysiology of abuse or addiction associated with these sedative substances is not completely understood, but previous research implicates the important role of the striatal dopamine system in the addiction process. Multiple studies investigated changes in the striatal dopamine systems of users of sedative substances, but currently these results are very heterogeneous.

Cognitive Deficits in Methamphetamine Users: How Strong is The Evidence?

Methamphetamine use has spread in many European countries and the United States. The current review provides a summary and critical analysis of research on cognitive deficits associated with methamphetamine, also known as "crystal meth." The literature search performed for this review led us to the hypothesis that methamphetamine use is associated with persistent changes in brain metabolism that result in various impairments, such as deficits in memory, attention, and concentration.

[Prevalence and Therapy of Crystal Methamphetamine Dependence].

Following a short overview on the epidemiology and clinical correlates of amphetamine abuse and dependence, with special emphasis on metamphetamine ("crystal"), current treatment concepts and recent results of therapy research are discussed. The efficacy of two inpatient treatment models for methamphetamine dependence are currently studied in a study funded by the German Ministry of health. The study concept is given and possible implications are discussed.