Brain morphometry in methamphetamine users in relation to cumulative drug exposure

INTRODUCTION: Methamphetamine (METH) is a major drug of abuse in the United States and in many countries throughout the world. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated significant neurotoxic effects and brain changes associated with the drug. However, few studies have evaluated morphometric changes associated with METH abuse [1-3]. We performed voxel based morphometry to determine whether active and recently abstinent METH users have brain structural abnormalities, and how such changes might relate to the estimated cumulative amount of METH abused.