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.
Silveri
Marisa M
MM
Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
Pollack
Mark H
MH
Diaz
Claudia I
CI
Nassar
Leanne E
LE
Mendelson
Jack H
JH
Yurgelun-Todd
Deborah A
DA
Renshaw
Perry F
PF
Kaufman
Marc J
MJ
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