Methamphetamine use and cognitive function: A systematic review of neuroimaging research

Background: Long-term use of MA has been associated with cognitive dysfunction in several domains. Neuroimaging studies have also reported structural, metabolic, and functional changes in MA users. However, no systematic review has been conducted on those studies in MA users that combined neuroimaging and cognitive tasks. Methods: This article systematically reviews correlation between brain imaging measures and cognitive performance in subjects with current and previous history of MA use. Findings are categorized based on cognitive domain. Results: MA users performed more poorly than controls in all cognitive domains (psychomotor, working memory, attention, cognitive control, and decision-making) and a positive correlation has been repeatedly observed between performance and brain measures (regional volume/density, blood flow, glucose metabolism, FA value, NAA level, and activation) in MA users. Performance in cognitive control was consistently reported to show relationship with brain measures in the PFC and ACC, while decision-making consistently showed correlation with brain measures in the PFC, ACC, and striatum. Conclusions: There is solid evidence for brain-behavior relationship in cognitive functioning in MA users, particularly in cognitive control and decision-making. More research with correlation analysis between brain behavior and MA use parameters is strongly encouraged.