Lower Glutathione Levels in Methamphetamine Users

Steven Buchthal¹, Linda Chang, Thomas Ernst

Methamphetamine (Meth) is a widely abused stimulant drug. Decreased glutathione (GSH) has been associated with greater neuronal loss in post-mortem brains of Meth users. The aim of this study was to determine whether Meth users have altered brain GSH using edited proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. GSH was measured at 3 Tesla in the parietal region. GSH was 12% lower in Meth than control subjects ( p=0.003). GSH did not correlate with glutamate or NAA in this brain region. Lower glutathione in the methamphetamine users suggests lower anti-oxidant capacity which may render these individuals more susceptible to oxidative stress.