Spectroscopic meta-analyses reveal novel metabolite profiles across methamphetamine and cocaine substance use disorder

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #magnetic-resonance-spectroscopy #methamphetamine #creatine #substance-related-disorders

Spectroscopic meta-analyses reveal novel metabolite profiles across methamphetamine and cocaine substance use disorder

Smucny et al., 2023 | Drug Alcohol Depend | Meta Analysis

Citation

Smucny Jason, Maddock Richard J. Spectroscopic meta-analyses reveal novel metabolite profiles across methamphetamine and cocaine substance use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2023-Jul-01;248:109900. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109900

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been used to study metabolite alterations in stimulant (methamphetamine and cocaine) substance use disorders (SUDs) for over 25 years, data-driven consensus regarding the nature and magnitude of these alterations is lacking. METHOD: In this meta-analysis, we examined associations between SUD and regional metabolites (N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline, myo-inositol, creatine, glutamate, and glutamate+glutamine (glx)) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), frontal white matter (FWM), occipital cortex, and basal ganglia as measured by 1 H-MRS. We also examined moderating effects of MRS acquisition parameters (echo time (TE), field strength), data quality (coefficient of variation (COV)), and demographic/clinical variables. RESULTS: A MEDLINE search revealed 28 articles that met meta-analytic criteria. Significant effects included lower mPFC NAA, higher mPFC myo-inositol, and lower mPFC creatine in SUD relative to people without SUD. mPFC NAA effects were moderated by TE, with larger effects at longer TEs. For choline, although no group effects were observed, effect sizes in the mPFC were related to MRS technical indicators (field strength, COV). No effects of age, sex, primary drug of use (methamphetamine vs. cocaine), duration of use, or duration of abstinence were observed. Evidence for moderating effects of TE and COV may have implications for future MRS studies in SUDs. CONCLUSIONS: The observed metabolite profile in methamphetamine and cocaine SUD (lower NAA and creatine with higher myo-inositol) parallels that observed in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment, suggesting these drugs are associated with neurometabolic differences similar to those characterizing these neurodegenerative conditions.

Key Findings

A MEDLINE search revealed 28 articles that met meta-analytic criteria. Significant effects included lower mPFC NAA, higher mPFC myo-inositol, and lower mPFC creatine in SUD relative to people without SUD. mPFC NAA effects were moderated by TE, with larger effects at longer TEs. For choline, although no group effects were observed, effect sizes in the mPFC were related to MRS technical indicators (field strength, COV). No effects of age, sex, primary drug of use (methamphetamine vs. cocaine), dur

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition cognitive

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Methamphetamine
  • Creatine
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Choline
  • Inositol
  • Brain

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Journal Article, Review, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09