title: Gender, brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met, and frequency of methamphetamine use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Frequency of pretreatment methamphetamine (MA) use is an important predictor of outcomes of treatment for MA dependence. Preclinical studies suggest females self-administer more MA than males, but few clinical studies have examined potential sex differences in the frequency of MA use. Estrogen increases expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has effects on MA-induced striatal dopamine release and protects against MA-induced neurotoxicity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined potential effects of sex, the Val66Met polymorphism in BDNF, and their interaction on frequency of MA use among 60 Caucasian MA-dependent volunteers screening for a clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was taken from 60 Caucasian MA-dependent volunteers screening for a clinical trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Females reported significantly more pretreatment days with MA use in the past 30 days than males. There was a significant interaction between sex and BDNF Val66Met, with the highest frequency of MA use among females with Val/Val genotype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results, although preliminary, add to the literature documenting sexual dimorphism in response to stimulants, including MA, and suggest a potential biological mechanism involving BDNF that might contribute to these differences. Additional research characterizing the biological basis of altered response to MA among females is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Substance Abuse Pharmacotherapy Unit, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA. KHeinzerling@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Keith G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Heinzerling
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shoptaw
mesh_terms: D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D008694:Methamphetamine