Predicting In-Treatment Performance and Relapse in Methamphetamine Users: Genetic, Neuroimaging, Neurocognitive and Drug Use Characteristics

Project: National Science and Technology CouncilNational Science and Technology Council Academic Grants

Project Details

Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH) use has become a global pandemic and a significant burden on mental health, emergency medical, and public safety services. So far no medications are approved for the treatment of METH use disorder. Behavioral and psychosocial treatments are the treatment of choice for METH dependence, but treatment is not always followed by positive outcomes. Many people continue to use drugs and experience associated problems even after multiple treatment episodes. One ongoing issue is whether specific individual characteristics or markers can be identified that predict treatment outcome. The ability to link specific characteristics with treatment success and, conversely, specific characteristics with treatment failure, will add a new dimension to our ability to provide effective treatment by directing efforts to develop new treatment tools for those resistant to programs. This proposed investigation aims to examine the utility of genetic, neuroimaging, neurocognitive and individual drug use characteristics for predicting in-treatment performance and relapse in methamphetamine users. A 3-year prospective study is proposed. This study aims to recruit 60 METH abusers among individuals who are preparing to participate a 12-week weekly out-patient treatment program for METH abuse or dependence using a psychosocial and behavioral model. The inclusion criteria are: 1) meeting criteria for METH abuse or dependence; 2) Current drug abstinence at least 2 weeks; 3) Age range between 18 and 65 years. The exclusion criteria are: 1) substance dependence other than METH (except nicotine); 2) diagnosis of other psychiatric disorders; 3) medical or neurological illness or trauma that would affect the central nervous system; 4) history of loss of consciousness of over 3 minutes; 5) pregnancy; 6) left-handedness. Baseline assessments include demographic characteristics, drug use characteristics, psychiatric diagnosis, genetic polymorphisms, neurocognitive functions and neuroimages. After baseline assessments, the subjects start a12-week weekly out-patient treatment program. The in-treatment performance variables used in analyses include retention, abstinence and completion. Objective assessment of methamphetamine use was obtained by urine samples collected once-weekly from participants during treatment. Baseline assessments include research diagnoses using the Chinese version of Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, 158Val/Met and rs165599 COMT genetic polymorphisms, self-rating Barratt impulsiveness scale, cognitive tests: 1) Wisconsin Card Sorting Test for executive function research; 2) Iowa Gambling Task for decision-making; 3) Continuous Performance Task for impulsivity, and 99mTc TRODAT-1 single photons emission computer tomography (SPECT). This study proposes to analyze 1) associations between the baseline assessments, i.e. demographic characteristics, drug use characteristics, genetic polymorphisms, neurocognitive functions and neuroimages; 2) associations between the baseline assessments and in-treatment performance, i.e. retention, abstinence and completion.

Project IDs

Project ID:PC10108-0484
External Project ID:NSC101-2314-B182-080
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date01/08/1231/07/13

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