Grey matter abnormalities in methcathinone abusers with a Parkinsonian syndrome.
Scientific Abstract
A permanent Parkinsonian syndrome occurs in intravenous abusers of the designer psychostimulant methcathinone (ephedrone). It is attributed to deposition of contaminant manganese, as reflected by characteristic globus pallidus hyperintensity on T1-weighted MRI.
We have investigated brain structure and function in methcathinone abusers ( = 12) compared to matched control subjects ( = 12) using T1-weighted structural and resting-state functional MRI.
Segmentation analysis revealed significant ( < .05) subcortical grey matter atrophy in methcathinone abusers within putamen and thalamus bilaterally, and the left caudate nucleus. The volume of the caudate nuclei correlated inversely with duration of methcathinone abuse. Voxel-based morphometry showed patients to have significant grey matter loss ( < .05) bilaterally in the putamina and caudate nucleus. Surface-based analysis demonstrated nine clusters of cerebral cortical thinning in methcathinone abusers, with relative sparing of prefrontal, parieto-occipital, and temporal regions. Resting-state functional MRI analysis showed increased functional connectivity within the motor network of patients ( < .05), particularly within the right primary motor cortex.
Taken together, these results suggest that the manganese exposure associated with prolonged methcathinone abuse results in widespread structural and functional changes affecting both subcortical and cortical grey matter and their connections. Underlying the distinctive movement disorder caused by methcathinone abuse, there is a more widespread pattern of brain involvement than is evident from the hyperintensity restricted to the basal ganglia as shown by T1-weighted structural MRI.
Similar content
News
Dr Jeffrey Stedehouder awarded Cambridge NeuroWorks Blue Sky Proof-of-Concept Award
16 September 2026
Preprint
MRC CoRE in RND Output
Distinct In Vivo Electrophysiological Profiles of Mediodorsal Thalamus Subdivisions
Paper
MRC CoRE in RND Output
Modulation of motor cortical theta and gamma oscillations using phase-targeted, closed-loop optogenetic stimulation of local excitatory and inhibitory neurons.
2026. Brain Stimul, 19(2):103034.
Preprint
Exploring the relationship between stroke lesion characteristics and sleep in chronic stroke survivors
Grey matter abnormalities in methcathinone abusers with a Parkinsonian syndrome.
Scientific Abstract
A permanent Parkinsonian syndrome occurs in intravenous abusers of the designer psychostimulant methcathinone (ephedrone). It is attributed to deposition of contaminant manganese, as reflected by characteristic globus pallidus hyperintensity on T1-weighted MRI.
We have investigated brain structure and function in methcathinone abusers ( = 12) compared to matched control subjects ( = 12) using T1-weighted structural and resting-state functional MRI.
Segmentation analysis revealed significant ( < .05) subcortical grey matter atrophy in methcathinone abusers within putamen and thalamus bilaterally, and the left caudate nucleus. The volume of the caudate nuclei correlated inversely with duration of methcathinone abuse. Voxel-based morphometry showed patients to have significant grey matter loss ( < .05) bilaterally in the putamina and caudate nucleus. Surface-based analysis demonstrated nine clusters of cerebral cortical thinning in methcathinone abusers, with relative sparing of prefrontal, parieto-occipital, and temporal regions. Resting-state functional MRI analysis showed increased functional connectivity within the motor network of patients ( < .05), particularly within the right primary motor cortex.
Taken together, these results suggest that the manganese exposure associated with prolonged methcathinone abuse results in widespread structural and functional changes affecting both subcortical and cortical grey matter and their connections. Underlying the distinctive movement disorder caused by methcathinone abuse, there is a more widespread pattern of brain involvement than is evident from the hyperintensity restricted to the basal ganglia as shown by T1-weighted structural MRI.
Citation
2016. Brain Behav, 6(11)e00539.
DOI
10.1002/brb3.539
Free Full Text at Europe PMC
PMC5102639Downloads
Similar content
News
Dr Jeffrey Stedehouder awarded Cambridge NeuroWorks Blue Sky Proof-of-Concept Award
16 September 2026
Preprint
MRC CoRE in RND Output
Distinct In Vivo Electrophysiological Profiles of Mediodorsal Thalamus Subdivisions
Paper
MRC CoRE in RND Output
Modulation of motor cortical theta and gamma oscillations using phase-targeted, closed-loop optogenetic stimulation of local excitatory and inhibitory neurons.
2026. Brain Stimul, 19(2):103034.
Preprint