title: Stress induced spontaneous recurrence of methamphetamine psychosis: the relation between stressful experiences and sensitivity to stress.
abstract: We examined increased sensitivity to stress in relation to spontaneous recurrences of methamphetamine (MAP) psychosis (i.e., flashbacks). Plasma monoamine metabolite levels were assayed in: 26 flashbackers, of whom 11 were on neuroleptics before and during the study, and the other 15 received neuroleptics in the course of the study; 18 non-flashbackers with a history of MAP psychosis; eight subjects with persistent MAP psychosis; and 23 MAP user and 11 non-user controls. The 26 flashbackers had experienced stressful events and/or MAP-induced fear-related psychotic symptoms during previous MAP use. Mild psychosocial stressors then triggered flashbacks. During flashbacks plasma norepinephrine levels increased markedly; among the flashbackers, those with a history of stressful events, whether or not they had experienced fear-related symptoms, showed a further increase in 3-methoxytyramine levels. Stressful experiences, together with MAP use, may therefore induce sensitization to stress associated with noradrenergic hyperactivity, involving increased dopamine release, and so triggering flashbacks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Jichi Medical School, Minamikawachi, Tochigi, Japan. kyui@jichi.ac.jp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yui
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikemoto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishiguro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000097:blood; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011329:Prisoners; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine