Cerebral phosphorus metabolite and transverse relaxation time abnormalities in heroin-dependent subjects at onset of methadone maintenance treatment.
Cerebral bioenergetic and phospholipid abnormalities have been reported in heroin-dependent subjects. The goal of the present study was to characterize the neurochemical profile of subjects voluntarily enrolled in a methadone maintenance (MM) treatment program to overcome their heroin addiction. Participants included 43 heroin-dependent subjects during their first month of MM and 15 age-matched healthy individuals. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P MRS) and transverse relaxation times (T2-RT), which can reflect steady state cerebral perfusion and metabolism, were acquired at 1.5 T from an axial slice prescribed through the orbitofrontal and occipital cortices, including basal ganglia and frontal cortex. MM subjects exhibited reduced phosphocreatine (PCr) levels (-15.3%), elevated phosphodiesters (+ 12.9%, PDE) and significantly longer T2-RT ((+) 2.1%) compared with healthy comparison subjects. When MM subjects were stratified into subgroups based on treatment duration, we found a treatment duration effect on metabolite values but not T2-RT; reduced PCr was observed only after 8+ days of MM, and phosphomonoesters (PME) were elevated in the 15-28 day MM group. Taken together, these cross-sectional data suggest that the first month of MM treatment may be associated with altered cerebral bioenergetics and phospholipid metabolite levels.
Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
Marisa M
MM
Silveri
Mark H
MH
Pollack
Claudia I
CI
Diaz
Leanne E
LE
Nassar
Jack H
JH
Mendelson
Deborah A
DA
Yurgelun-Todd
Perry F
PF
Renshaw
Marc J
MJ
Kaufman
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology
D009294:Narcotics; D010743:Phospholipids; D010725:Phosphocreatine; D010758:Phosphorus; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D008691:Methadone