Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children exposed to methamphetamine in utero.
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.
Smith
L M
LM
Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Torrance 90502, USA. Berry@chumc.edu
Chang
L
L
Yonekura
M L
ML
Grob
C
C
Osborn
D
D
Ernst
T
T
D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011522:Protons
D011522:Protons; D008694:Methamphetamine