Lack of effect of methamphetamine on reward-related brain activity in healthy adults

Introduction Stimulant drugs are thought to alter processing of rewarding stimuli. However, the mechanisms by which they do this are not fully understood. Method In this study we used EEG to assess effects of single doses of methamphetamine (MA) on neural responses during anticipation and receipt of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychopharmacology 2024, Vol.241 (1), p.181-193
Main Authors: Haggarty, Connor J., Glazer, James E., Nusslock, Robin, Lee, Royce, de Wit, Harriet
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Anticipation, Psychological
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Brain
Drug abuse
EEG
Emotions
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine - pharmacology
Motivation
Neurosciences
Original Investigation
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Psychiatry
Reinforcement
Reward
Well being
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Summary:Introduction Stimulant drugs are thought to alter processing of rewarding stimuli. However, the mechanisms by which they do this are not fully understood. Method In this study we used EEG to assess effects of single doses of methamphetamine (MA) on neural responses during anticipation and receipt of reward in healthy volunteers. Healthy young men and women (N = 28) completed three sessions in which they received placebo, a low MA dose (10 mg) or a higher MA dose (20 mg) under double blind conditions. Subjective and cardiovascular measures were obtained, and EEG was used to assess brain activity during an electrophysiological version of the Monetary Incentive Delay (eMID) task. Results EEG measures showed expected patterns during anticipation and receipt of reward, and MA produced its expected effects on mood and cardiovascular function. However, MA did not affect EEG responses during either anticipation or receipt of rewards. Conclusions These findings suggest that the effects of MA on EEG signals of reward processing are subtle, and not related to the drug’s effects on subjective feelings of well-being. The findings contribute to our understanding of the neural effects of MA during behaviors related to reward.
ISSN:0033-3158
1432-2072
DOI:10.1007/s00213-023-06475-8