Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children exposed to methamphetamine in utero

Objective: To examine the possible neurotoxic effects of prenatal methamphe tamine exposure on the developing brain using H-1-MRS. Methods: Methampheta mine-exposed children (n = 12) and age-matched unexposed control subjects ( n = 14) were evaluated with MRI, localized H-1-MRS, and a Child Behavior Ch ecklist. Metabolite concentrations of N-acetyl-containing compounds (NA), t otal creatine (Cr), choline-containing compounds, myoinositol, and glutamat e + glutamine were measured in the frontal white matter and striatum. Resul ts: Despite an absence of visible structural abnormalities in either group, children exposed to methamphetamine in utero had higher [Cr] (+10%, p = 0. 02) in the striatum, [NA], primarily a measure of N-acetylaspartate was nor mal in both regions, which suggests no significant neuronal loss or damage in the two brain regions examined. There were no differences in reported be havior problems among the methamphetamine-exposed children relative to the unexposed group. Conclusions: The authors found increased [Cr] in the stria tum with relatively normal [NA] in children exposed to methamphetamine. The se findings suggest an abnormality in energy metabolism in the brains of ch ildren exposed to methamphetamine in utero.