title: Does elevated peripheral benzodiazepine receptor gene expression relate to cognitive deficits in methamphetamine dependence?
abstract: Methamphetamine (METH) is a neurotoxin and psychostimulant drug with potent effects on the central nervous system. With chronic METH administration, an inflammatory glial response is observed as a result of METH-induced neurotoxicity. One inflammatory marker is the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR).
  
  
  
  The purpose of the present study was to determine whether PBR expression is changed in METH dependence and whether the changes relate to cognitive deficits.
  
  
  
  Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate PBR gene expression in blood samples taken from 14 male subjects with METH dependence and 14 controls.
  
  
  
  The results showed a significant increase in PBR gene expression in METH dependence, suggestive of a systemic inflammatory response. The increase remained elevated for more than 1 year following abstinence from METH use, but eventually returned to normal. Subjects with elevated PBR also exhibited a deficit in one domain of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.
  
  
  
  The results suggest that systemic inflammatory effects can be associated with chronic METH abuse, and this may relate to the cognitive deficits seen in METH dependence. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.|Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Siriluk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Veerasakul
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.|Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Samur
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thanoi
authors.affiliation: Synphaet Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Paritat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Watiktinkorn
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.|Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Gavin P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.|Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sutisa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nudmamud-Thanoi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D008694:Methamphetamine
keywords: Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test; cognitive function; gene expression; methamphetamine; peripheral benzodiazepine receptor; translocator protein 18 kDa