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Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children exposed to methamphetamine in utero

From the Departments of Pediatrics (Dr. Smith), Neurology (Drs. Chang and Ernst), Radiology (D. Osborn and Dr. Ernst), and Psychiatry (Dr. Grob), and The Options for Recovery Center (Dr. Yonekura), Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Lynne M. Smith, Martin Research Center, Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, 1124 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502; e-mail: Berry{at}humc.edu

OBJECTIVE: To examine the possible neurotoxic effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on the developing brain using ¹H-MRS.

METHODS: Methamphetamine-exposed children (n = 12) and age-matched unexposed control subjects (n = 14) were evaluated with MRI, localized ¹H-MRS, and a Child Behavior Checklist. Metabolite concentrations of N-acetyl-containing compounds (NA), total creatine (Cr), choline-containing compounds, myoinositol, and glutamate + glutamine were measured in the frontal white matter and striatum.

RESULTS: Despite an absence of visible structural abnormalities in either group, children exposed to methamphetamine in utero had higher [Cr] (+10%, p = 0.02) in the striatum. [NA], primarily a measure of N-acetylaspartate, was normal in both regions, which suggests no significant neuronal loss or damage in the two brain regions examined. There were no differences in reported behavior problems among the methamphetamine-exposed children relative to the unexposed group.

CONCLUSIONS: The authors found increased [Cr] in the striatum with relatively normal [NA] in children exposed to methamphetamine. These findings suggest an abnormality in energy metabolism in the brains of children exposed to methamphetamine in utero.

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