Greater fatigue, disturbed sleep, persistent memory problems, and reduced CD4+ T cell and B cell percentages in adults with a history of methamphetamine dependence.

Methamphetamine (MA) dependence is associated with immunotoxicity and high rates of neuropsychiatric impairments that persist into remission. Although there are currently no FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for MA use disorders, preclinical and clinical studies are beginning to test interventions that directly impact immune signaling. This study was conducted to investigate the relative contribution of immune cell function to the neuropsychiatric sequelae associated with MA dependence and remission. Participants were enrolled into the following study groups: i) control (CTL) group (n = 62): adults with no lifetime history of dependence on any substance other than nicotine or caffeine; and ii) MA group (n = 98) [MA-remission group (n = 55): adults in remission ≥1 month and ≤ 6 months and MA-active group (n = 43): adults actively using MA and meeting criteria for MA dependence]. Participants completed a clinical interview, urine drug analysis, blood sample collection, and questionnaires. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results suggest that early remission from MA dependence is associated with increased fatigue and persistent sleep and prospective and retrospective memory problems, along with reduced B and CD4+ T cell percentages, compared to the CTL group. Preliminary findings support the hypothesis that the immune system modulates the sleep impairments associated with drug actions and provide implications for future research studies and treatment approaches.