MR spectroscopy glutamate measures reflect craving for heroin in addicts

July 1, 2008 Diagnostic Imaging. MR spectroscopy glutamate measures reflect craving for heroin in addicts James Brice -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New MR spectroscopy findings indicate that changes in brain glutamate levels reflect changes in heroin craving among addicts during methadone maintenance therapy. MRS may eventually help predict whether addicts will relapse after treatment. Animal studies have previously shown that glutamate is involved in the development and expression of drug addiction. Drug exposure and withdrawal change the glutamate levels in the anterior cingulate cortex, ventral striatum, thalamus, and hippocampus.

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