Impact of Methamphetamine on Regional Metabolism and Cerebral Blood Flow After Traumatic Brain Injury

Background Substance abuse is a frequent comorbid condition among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), but little is known about its potential additive or interactive effects on tissue injury or recovery from TBI. This study aims to evaluate changes in regional metabolism and cerebral perfusion in subjects who used methamphetamine (METH) prior to sustaining a TBI. We hypothesized that METH use would decrease pericontusional cerebral perfusion and markers of neuronal metabolism, in TBI patients compared to those without METH use.