Sex Differences in Methamphetamine Use and Dependence in a Thai Treatment Center.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Rungnirundorn T
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5291761 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan/Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Sex Differences in Methamphetamine Use and Dependence in a Thai Treatment Center.
Rungnirundorn Teerayuth T Verachai Viroj V Gelernter Joel J Malison Robert T RT Kalayasiri Rasmon R
Journal of addiction medicine 20170101 1
<h4>Background and objective</h4>Males and females who use methamphetamine (MA) differ in sociodemographics, MA diagnoses, comorbidities, and brain activity. The objective of this study was to investigate sex differences in the characteristics of MA use and dependence in patients at a Thai substance treatment center.<h4>Methods</h4>Demographic, MA use, and diagnostic data for 782 MA users were obtained by using the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism-Thai version. Categ ...[more]
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Project description:RationaleMale rats escalate methamphetamine (meth) intake during long-access meth self-administration, show enhanced reinstatement of meth-seeking, and exhibit meth-induced memory impairments. However, the impact of long-access daily meth self-administration on reinstatement and cognitive dysfunction has not been assessed in females, even though clinical studies on meth addiction have shown differences between men and women.ObjectivesThis study determined whether male and freely cycling female rats: (1) escalate meth intake in a 6-h daily-access period relative to 1-h access; (2) show different sensitivity to meth primed reinstatement after short- and long-access conditions; and (3) show deficits in novel object and object in place recognition memory.MethodsMale and female Long-Evans rats self-administered meth in limited (1-h/day) or extended (6-h/day) daily access sessions. After 21 days, meth access was discontinued, and rats entered an abstinence period. On the seventh and 14th days of abstinence, rats were assessed for recognition memory using tests for: (a) novel object recognition memory and (b) object-in-place memory. Rats were tested for reinstatement of meth-seeking following extinction of responding.ResultsFemale rats self-administered more meth and escalated intake faster than males during extended, but not limited, daily access. Both males and females in the extended, but not limited, access groups showed memory deficits on both tasks. Female rats showed greater reinstatement to meth-seeking with lower doses of meth priming injections than males.ConclusionsRelative to males, females were equally susceptible to meth-induced memory deficits but exhibited higher meth intake and greater relapse to meth-seeking.
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