title: Effects of methamphetamine on the noradrenergic activity biomarker salivary alpha-amylase.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methamphetamine (METH) potently activates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) by increasing central and peripheral norepinephrine (NE). Salivary α-amylase (sAA) is a biomarker of SNS activation that correlates with plasma NE levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of METH on sAA activity and whether changes in sAA activity were correlated with subjective effects ratings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-treatment seeking METH-dependent volunteers (N=8) participated in this within-subjects laboratory-based study. Volunteers received randomly administered intravenous METH (0mg, 30 mg) and sAA activity, cardiovascular measures and subjective ratings were assessed at baseline (-15 min) and five post-METH time points (10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 min).
  
  
  RESULTS
  METH (30 mg) increased sAA activity over time. sAA activity significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure following 0mg METH and systolic blood pressure following 30 mg METH. Subjective ratings (ANY EFFECT, HIGH, GOOD, STIMULATED, LIKE, WLLING TO PAY) highly correlated with sAA over five post-METH time points (N=40; r's=0.543-0.684, p's<0.001). Age, body mass index and METH amount received on a mg/kg basis were significantly associated with sAA activity. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated sAA activity remained a significant predictor of subjective ratings following METH after controlling for these factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NE peripheral biomarker sAA activity is associated with METH's subjective effects.
authors: Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: chaile@bcm.edu.
authors: Colin N
authors: CN
authors: Haile
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: De La Garza
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: Mahoney
authors: Thomas F
authors: TF
authors: Newton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine; D055291:Salivary alpha-Amylases; D009638:Norepinephrine
keywords: Methamphetamine; Norepinephrine; Psychostimulants; Salivary alpha-amylase; Sympathetic nervous system
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