Gray-matter volume, midbrain dopamine D2/D3 receptors and drug craving in methamphetamine users.

ABSTRACT: Dysfunction of the mesocorticolimbic system has a critical role in clinical features of addiction. Despite evidence suggesting that midbrain dopamine receptors influence amphetamine-induced dopamine release and that dopamine is involved in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, associations between dopamine receptors and gray-matter volume have been unexplored in methamphetamine users. Here we used magnetic resonance imaging and [(18)F]fallypride positron emission tomography, respectively, to measure gray-matter volume (in 58 methamphetamine users) and dopamine D2/D3 receptor availability (binding potential relative to nondisplaceable uptake of the radiotracer, BPnd) (in 31 methamphetamine users and 37 control participants). Relationships between these measures and self-reported drug cravi

SUBMITTER: Morales AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4440838 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature