Grey matter abnormalities in methcathinone abusers with a Parkinsonian syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A permanent Parkinsonian syndrome occurs in intravenous abusers of the designer psychostimulant methcathinone (ephedrone). It is attributed to deposition of contaminant manganese, as reflected by characteristic globus pallidus hyperintensity on T1-weighted MRI.

Methods

We have investigated brain structure and function in methcathinone abusers (n = 12) compared to matched control subjects (n = 12) using T1-weighted structural and resting-state functional MRI.

Results

Segmentation analysis revealed significant (p < .05) subcortical grey matter atrophy in methcathinone abusers within putamen and thalamus bilaterally, and the left caudate nucleus. The volume of the caudate nuclei correlated inversely with duration of methcathinone abuse. Vo

SUBMITTER: Juurmaa J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5102639 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature