Association of Cognitive Impairment and Peripheral Inflammation in Methamphetamine-Dependent Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study on Neuroinflammatory Markers TNF-α and IL-6
Chutikorn Nopparat *
1National Institute for Child and Family Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand , 2Brain, Mind and Learning Research and Development Unit, Department of Research and Applied Psychology, Faculty of Education, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand 20131, 3Addiction Studies Program, ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand, 4Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand, 5Innovative Learning Center, Srinakharinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand. , 6Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Received: August 17, 2024; Revised: November 12, 2024; Accepted: November 16, 2024; Published online: November 16, 2024.
© The Korean College of Neuropsychopharmacology. All rights reserved.

Abstract
Objective: To investigate the cognitive impairment and peripheral inflammation induced by METH and their association in METH abusers.
Methods: The cross-sectional study included 100 METH-dependent patients and 100 healthy controls. Cognitive screening was conducted using the Thai version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-T). Thirty normal controls and 30 METH-dependent patients were randomly selected for blood collection to measure inflammatory markers, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, using a quantitative ELISA method.
Results: METH-dependent patients had significantly poorer MoCA-T scores and higher levels of blood inflammatory markers compared to healthy controls. Demographic characteristics, METH use patterns, and proinflammatory cytokines were associated with cognitive impairment. The MoCA-T score was negatively associated with plasma TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Conclusion: METH-associated cognitive decline is correlated with elevated plasma levels of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines, indicating the involvement of specific neuroinflammatory pathways in neurocognitive dysfunction. These insights could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating neuroinflammation, potentially improving outcomes for individuals with METH addiction.
Keywords: cognitive impairment, methamphetamine, proinflammatory cytokines, Tumor necrosis factor alpha, Interleukin-1 beta, Interleukin-6

e-submission

Archives