Methamphetamine: Mechanism of Action and Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment for Its Addiction / 中国结合医学杂志

With the proliferation of synthetic drugs, research on the mechanism of action of addictive drugs and treatment methods is of great significance. Among them, methamphetamine (METH) is the most representative amphetamine synthetic drug, and the treatment of METH addiction has become an urgent medical and social problem. In recent years, the therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal medicines on METH addiction have gained widespread attention because of their non-addictiveness, multiple targets, low side effects, low cost, and other characteristics. Previous studies have identified a variety of Chinese herbal medicines with effects on METH addiction. Based on the research on METH in recent years, this article summarizes the mechanism of action of METH as the starting point and briefly reviews the Chinese herbal medicine-based treatment of METH.

Effect of Tiaoshen acupuncture on anxiety after methamphetamine withdrawal / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect between Tiaoshen acupuncture combined with psychotherapy and simple psychotherapy on anxiety after methamphetamine withdrawal.@*METHODS@#A total of 78 patients were randomized into an observation group (39 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (39 cases, 1 case dropped off). Psychotherapy was given in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, Tiaoshen acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Benshen (GB 13), Neiguan (PC 6) and Shenmen (HT 7) in the observation group. The treatment was given once a day, 6 days were as one course and totally 4 courses were required in both groups. The scores of Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), quality of life for drug addicts (QOL-DA) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) before and after treatment were observed in both groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the various scores and the total scores of HAMA, QOL-DA and PSQI were decreased compared before treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the scores of somatic anxiety factor, the psychic anxiety factor and the total score of HAMA, each various score and the total score of QOL-DA as well as the scores of sleep quality, time to fall asleep, sleep time, daytime dysfunction and the total score of PSQI in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Tiaoshen acupuncture combined with psychotherapy can relieve the anxiety in patients with anxiety after methamphetamine withdrawal, improve the quality of life and sleep, the therapeutic effect is superior to the simple psychotherapy.

SUN's abdominal acupuncture for depression after methamphetamine withdrawal: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect of SUN 's abdominal acupuncture and conventional acupuncture in the treatment of depression after methamphetamine withdrawal.@*METHODS@#A total of 80 female patients with depression after methamphetamine withdrawal were randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (40 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The control group was treated with conventional acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Taichong (LR 3), Shenmen (HT 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Danzhong (GV 17), and the observation group was treated with SUN 's abdominal acupuncture at area 1 of the abdomen and area 8 of the abdomen. Both groups were treated once a day, 30 min each time, 6 days as a course of treatment, 1 day rest between treatment courses, a total of 4 courses of treatment. The scores of withdrawal symptoms, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scale and serum serotonin (5-HT) level were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the scores of withdrawal symptoms, HAMD and the various scores and total score of PSQI scale in the two groups were all lower than before treatment (P<0.01), and the scores of withdrawal symptoms, HAMD and the sleep quality, time to fall asleep, sleep time scores and total score of PSQI in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, the serum 5-HT level of the two groups was increased (P<0.01), and that in the observation group was higher than the control group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#SUN 's abdominal acupuncture can improve withdrawal symptom, depression and sleep quality, increase serum 5-HT content in treatment of depression after methamphetamine withdrawal, and has better effect than conventional acupuncture.

Application Prospect of Integrative Omics in Forensic Identification of Methamphetamine-Associated Psychosis / 法医学杂志

The clinical symptoms and signs of methamphetamine-associated psychosis (MAP) and schizophrenia are highly similar, but the situation is completely different when MAP and schizophrenia patients need to be assessed for criminal responsibility after they comitted a harmful behavior. Therefore, the distinction between the two psychoses is very important in forensic psychiatry. At present, the identification of these two psychoses is mainly dependent on the corresponding criteria such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders Version 3 (CCMD-3). It's challenging to diagnose and distinguish between the two in practical cases due to their similar clinical symptoms and the lack of effective objective indexes. Different from the limitations of single omics, integrative omics intergrates data from multiple dimensions and has been extensively studied in the field of schizophrenia and has achieved some preliminary results. In view of the correlation between MAP and schizophrenia and the potential application value of integrative omics, this paper proposes an integrative omics strategy for MAP pathogenesis and forensic identification, aiming to improve the further understanding of the relationship between the two psychoses and the corresponding pathogenesis. It also provides references for the future exploration of integrative omics in forensic precise identification and effective monitoring and early warning methods.

Current Situation of Methamphetamine Abuse and Related Research Progress / 法医学杂志

Drug problem is a major social and public security problem in the world. Drug abuse poses a great threat to economic development, social stability and public health. In recent years, synthetic drugs represented by methamphetamine have surpassed traditional drugs such as morphine, heroin, ketamine and become one of the most abused drugs in the world. In order to solve the problem of drug abuse, it is of great theoretical value and practical significance to carry out all-round and multi-level scientific research on drug-related issues. Based on the current situation of drug abuse, this article reviews research progresses on the epidemiology of methamphetamine abuse, the monitoring technology, the basic researches on toxicity damage, the withdrawal drug screening, the related clinical comorbidity and the testing technologies, comprehensively presenting the development trend of methamphetamine abuse related issues.

The state of Methamphetamine ('tik') use among Youth in the Western Cape; South Africa

Background. Methamphetamine use among youth in the Western Cape Province of South Africa has increased at alarming rates over the past decade. Although current estimates of youth use exist; they range from 2 - 12%. Objectives. To identify (i) the prevalence of methamphetamine use in Western Cape youth and (ii) the association between use and known risk factors for methamphetamine use. Methods. Data were obtained from 10 000 Western Cape Province Grade 8 learners in 54 secondary schools (mean age 14.0 years). Prevalence was descriptively reported while risk factors for past-month use were modelled in a hierarchical logistic regression with demographic; socioeconomic status; substance use; sexual activity and relationship predictors. Results. Approximately 5% (n=496) of learners had used methamphetamine within their lifetime. Of these users; 65% (n=322) had used in the past month or week. Compared to never users; past-month users were more likely to be male; less likely to have a present or partially present mother; less likely to live in an apartment/flat/brick house; more likely to have used alcohol and tobacco and more likely to report having a same-sex partner. Conclusion. Results replicate previously known methamphetamine risk factors and highlight the need to address methamphetamine use in comprehensive prevention initiatives

Consequências do uso de cocaína e metanfetamina durante a gravidez / Consequences of cocaine and methamphetamine during pregnancy

Com o objetivo de descrever as consequências do uso da cocaína e metanfetamina durante a gestação, foi realizada revisão crítica das publicações nas seguintes bases de dados: MEDLINE (por meio do PubMed), SciELO, LILACS e Google acadêmico, utilizando-se termos e palavras-chave relacionadas à cocaína, metanfetamina e gestação. O uso desses estimulantes do sistema nervoso central constitui-se em grave problema de saúde pública passível de intervenção, a qual pode reduzir ou até mesmo evitar agravos à saúde da gestante e do feto, além de redução dos gastos públicos com os longos períodos de internação e recuperação da saúde dos usuários. Foram observadas alterações no desenvolvimento infantil, diminuição de atividade motora e dificuldade de sustentar atenção com o uso metanfetamina. Bebês nascidos de mães que abusaram de cocaína durante a gravidez geralmente nascem de parto prematuro, com baixo peso e estatura e circunferência craniana menor do que o normal. Observam-se, ainda, altas taxas de malformação congênita e de mortalidade perinatal. Há também evidências mostrando queda no rendimento escolar, envolvendo distração e déficit de atenção, em crianças cujas mães usaram cocaína na gravidez. Entretanto, muitas dúvidas sobre o assunto ainda permanecem, merecendo maior atenção, em vista da importância do efeito dessas drogas no período gestacional e a repercussão futura no desenvolvimento infantil.

In order to describe the effects of using cocaine and methamphetamine during pregnancy was performed a review of published studies on the threshold of medical data base: MEDLINE (PubMed), SciELO, LILACS and Google scholar, using terms and keywords related to cocaine, methamphetamine and pregnancy. The use of central nervous system stimulants is a serious public health problem susceptible to intervention, which can reduce or even prevent damages to health of the mother and fetus, and reduce public spending long periods of hospitalization and recovery of users’ health. Changes were observed in child development, decreased visual-motor performance and difficulty sustaining attention using methamphetamine. Babies born to mothers who abused of cocaine during pregnancy are often born of premature births, low weight and height and head circumference smaller than normal. There are also high rates of congenital malformation and perinatal mortality. There is also evidence that children who received cocaine through their mothers in the intrauterine stage can have falling in school performance, involving distraction and difficulty concentrating. However, many questions still remain about the issue, deserving more attention, in view of the importance of the effect of these drugs during pregnancy and its future impact on child development.

Políticas de redução de danos no Brasil e as lições aprendidas de um modelo americano / Harm-reduction policies in Brazil and the lessons learned from an american model

As políticas públicas voltadas para o consumo de drogas no Brasil, durante muito tempo enfatizaram a repressão, mantendo o uso de drogas basicamente atrelado ao campo da justiça. Nesse cenário, pouco espaço restava para o exercício da saúde pública. Nesse sentido, as ações de redução de danos desempenharam um papel central no campo da saúde pública. Contudo, é importante destacar que os resultadosdas estratégias da redução de danos estão circunscritos ao campo da saúde, não interferindo com outros problemas significativos relacionados ao consumo de drogas tais como: tráfico, crime organizado, lavagem de dinheiro e sobrecarga do sistema penitenciário. Tendo em vista o cenário nacional e internacional das políticas sobre drogas e da redução de danos, pretendemos trabalhar na linha de lições aprendidas,registrando e discutindo as práticas observadas em um modelo americano de pesquisa e atendimento aos UDI: o UFO (You Find-Out) Study. Nesse sentido, foram considerados aspectos tais como acesso ao usuário, aderência aos serviços, dificuldades de financiamento e avaliação de resultados. As etapas do estudo envolveram pesquisa documental, observação sistemática do trabalho com a elaboração de um diário de campo, participação em reuniões de equipe e entrevistas com informantes chave. A partir desse estudo, destacamos algumas características doprojeto UFO que poderiam contribuir para a formulação de políticas de redução de danos no cenário brasileiro. O UFO parece ser um bom exemplo de aplicação de iniciativas de redução de danos associadas à pesquisa, no atendimento a usuários de drogas injetáveis. O projeto tem obtido relativo sucesso no acesso e adesão dessapopulação, que de outra forma, talvez não tivesse meios de acessar serviços sociais e de saúde e, conseqüentemente, diminuir os riscos e danos associados ao uso injetável de drogas.

High HIV-1 prevalence among metamphetamine users in central Thailand, 1999-2000.

HIV-1 prevalence was studied in 1,890 metamphetamine users from Thanyarak Hospital from 1999 to 2000. 64.8 per cent positive urine metamphetamine and 2.3 per cent positive urine opiate were observed. The most common route of the drug intake was 93.92 per cent inhalation. HIV-1 prevalence was 2.44 per cent (95% Confidence interval; 1.65-3.18%). 44 out of 46 HIV-1 infected cases were typeable as 32 (72.73%) subtype E and the rest of subtype B'. Active opiate users had a higher rate of HIV-1 infection, 15.91 per cent, compared to 2.11 per cent of the non-opiate users (Fisher's exact test p=0.0002). This group of metamphetamine users is important to public health and more attention on intervention efforts towards HIV infection is urgently needed.