Gabrielle Todd1, Verity Pearson-Dennett2, Robert A Wilcox3, Minh T Chau4, Kerry Thoirs5, Dominic Thewlis6, Adam P Vogel7, Jason M White8. 1. School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: gabrielle.todd@unisa.edu.au. 2. School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: verity.pearson-dennett@mymail.unisa.edu.au. 3. School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Department of Neurology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia; Human Physiology, Medical School, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: Robert.Wilcox@health.sa.gov.au. 4. School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: chamt010@mymail.unisa.edu.au. 5. School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: kerry.thoirs@unisa.edu.au. 6. School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: dominic.thewlis@unisa.edu.au. 7. Centre for Neuroscience of Speech, 550 Swanston Street, Parkville, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Neurodegeneration, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Eberhard Karls Universidad Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: vogela@unimelb.edu.au. 8. School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Electronic address: jason.white@unisa.edu.au.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The sonographic appearance of the substantia nigra is abnormally bright and enlarged (hyperechogenic) in young adults with a history of illicit stimulant use. The abnormality is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease. The aim of the current study was to identify the type of illicit stimulant drug associated with substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and to determine if individuals with a history of illicit stimulant use exhibit clinical signs of parkinsonism. We hypothesised that use of amphetamines (primarily methamphetamine) is associated with substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and clinical signs of parkinsonism. METHODS: The area of echogenic signal in the substantia nigra was measured in abstinent human amphetamine users (n = 27; 33 ± 8 years) and in three control groups comprising a) 'ecstasy' users (n = 19; 23 ± 3 years), b) cannabis users (n = 30; 26 ± 8 years), and c) non-drug users (n = 37; 25 ± 7 years). A subset of subjects (n = 55) also underwent a neurological examination comprising the third and fifth part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. RESULTS: Area of substantia nigra echogenicity was significantly larger in the amphetamine group (0.276 ± 0.080 cm(2)) than in the control groups (0.200 ± 0.075, 0.190 ± 0.049, 0.191 ± 0.055 cm(2), respectively; P < 0.002). The score on the clinical rating scale was also significantly higher in the amphetamine group (8.4 ± 8.1) than in pooled controls (3.3 ± 2.8; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Illicit use of amphetamines is associated with abnormal substantia nigra morphology and subtle clinical signs of parkinsonism. The results support epidemiological findings linking use of amphetamines, particularly methamphetamine, with increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life.
INTRODUCTION: The sonographic appearance of the substantia nigra is abnormally bright and enlarged (hyperechogenic) in young adults with a history of illicit stimulant use. The abnormality is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease. The aim of the current study was to identify the type of illicit stimulant drug associated with substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and to determine if individuals with a history of illicit stimulant use exhibit clinical signs of parkinsonism. We hypothesised that use of amphetamines (primarily methamphetamine) is associated with substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and clinical signs of parkinsonism. METHODS: The area of echogenic signal in the substantia nigra was measured in abstinent humanamphetamine users (n = 27; 33 ± 8 years) and in three control groups comprising a) 'ecstasy' users (n = 19; 23 ± 3 years), b) cannabis users (n = 30; 26 ± 8 years), and c) non-drug users (n = 37; 25 ± 7 years). A subset of subjects (n = 55) also underwent a neurological examination comprising the third and fifth part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. RESULTS: Area of substantia nigra echogenicity was significantly larger in the amphetamine group (0.276 ± 0.080 cm(2)) than in the control groups (0.200 ± 0.075, 0.190 ± 0.049, 0.191 ± 0.055 cm(2), respectively; P < 0.002). The score on the clinical rating scale was also significantly higher in the amphetamine group (8.4 ± 8.1) than in pooled controls (3.3 ± 2.8; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Illicit use of amphetamines is associated with abnormal substantia nigra morphology and subtle clinical signs of parkinsonism. The results support epidemiological findings linking use of amphetamines, particularly methamphetamine, with increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life.
Authors: Elizabeth Hotham; Miranda Haberfield; Susan Hillier; Jason M White; Gabrielle Todd Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2017-12-12 Impact factor: 3.575
Authors: Amanda L Persons; Brinda Desai Bradaric; Leo P Kelly; Sharanya M Kousik; Steven M Graves; Bryan K Yamamoto; T Celeste Napier Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2021-05-20 Impact factor: 4.852