Effects of methamphetamine use on quantitative EEG characters in an Iranian population

Introduction: Methamphetamine consumption is associated with cognitive and neuropsychological damage. Determining the effect of this substance on the activities and characteristics of the human brain can lead to the prevention and treatment of complications caused by abuse. There are diverse chemical formulas in Iran with unknown properties. Moreover, few studies have focused on electrophysiological changes in this field which accounts for a robust study in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 18 recently abstinent methamphetamine dependent individuals with the matched non-user counterparts were recruited. Brain signals were recorded through EEG with open eyes. Absolute and relative power values were calculated based on frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital regions for each group. Results: Remarkably, it was revealed that absolute power values were lower in Cz, Pz and Fz electrodes in terms of four frequency bands in delta and theta waves (p = 0.01). Interestingly, relative power values were lower among methamphetamine users in delta and theta frequency bands compared to the control group. Conclusion: methamphetamine users have more decreased delta, theta and beta frequency bands especially at parietal regions. Chemical or subtle structural changes may be responsible for this result (p = 0.048).