Files

Abstract

It is important to investigate the factors contributing to continued use of methamphetamines (METH) considering the recent rise in psychostimulant deaths in the United States and health risks. While previous research has characterized specific responses to METH, such as increases in blood pressure and elevated mood, the current study aims to implement a multi-dimensional approach assessing behavioral reward related task responses, subjective questionnaire responses, and physiological blood pressure reads to understand the neurochemical basis of METH administration (20mg) in 51 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. We examined correlations comparing these three measures predicting the drug responses to be related to distinct underlying processes, dopaminergic and noradrenergic respectively. We found upon METH administration, participants experienced positive subjective responses, increased cardiovascular activity, and alterations in cognitive processes inducing a greater willingness to exert effort for reward. Our hypothesis was partially supported with marginally positive associations between subjective ratings and task-related responses. There were inconsistencies in the relationship between subjective ratings and blood pressure reads, with one questionnaire (Drug Effects Questionnaire), demonstrating a positive association, and another (euphoric measure) failing to demonstrate a relationship. Surprisingly, the behavioral reward-related task and blood pressure reads demonstrated a positive association. Based on these results, we conclude that the underlying processes associated with METH responses in drug taking behavior are not dissociable.

Details

Actions

PDF

from
to
Export
Download Full History