Impact of Methamphetamine (Crystal) use on central neurotransmitter homeostasis

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the impact of Crystal use on the levels of central neurotransmitter homeostasis, Dopamine, Serotonin, and Acetylcholine, as well as oxidative stress markers.  This study involved 60 male crystal users from the Rehabilitation Center in Baghdad and 20 non-crystal users; their ages ranged from 19 to 54 years. They were divided into four experimental groups based on the length of hospitalization: the first group consisted of individuals who were non-users of Crystal as control group, the second group consisted of individuals recently discharged (recovery period 1–2 months), the third group included those with a moderate recovery period (2–4 months), and the fourth group comprised long-term recoverees (more than 6 months in the rehabilitation centers. Results: The study revealed highly significant decreases (p ≤ 0.001) in the serum levels of dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine, with the most pronounced reductions observed in the moderate-recovery group, followed by the recently recovered group, compared to the control group,  Current study's finding regrading oxidative stress indicators showed a highly significant increase in the oxidants Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Lactate Dehydrogenase LDH, with regarding level the antioxidant variables Glutathione  (GSH) and Superoxide dismutase  SOD), revealed a highly significant decrease. The long-term recovery group showed no significant difference in the antioxidant variables (GSH and SOD) compared with the control group.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, it was evident that the use of crystal methamphetamine has a significantly high effect on neurotransmitter levels. This was clearly demonstrated in the groups of recently admitted and mid-term rehabilitation participants. In addition, there was a significant increase in the levels of oxidative stress variables. The length of the rehabilitation period inside the treatment facility also had a substantial impact on the return of toluene concentrations (or “toluene,” as stated in the study) in neurotransmitter levels, and on the oxidative stress/antioxidant balance variables in the study samples, bringing them back to normal levels.