YOUNGER methamphetamine users -- those aged below 45 -- are at increased risk of a potentially severe and life-changing stroke through their use of the drug, researchers at UNSW's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) said in an alert based on a review of evidence.
A review of available evidence by Dr Julia Lappin, Professor Shane Darke and Professor Michael Farrell has been published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.
Methamphetamine-related stroke was associated with poor clinical outcomes, such as vascular abnormalities, in a third of cases, the review said, and only one quarter of individuals completely recovered, and a third died following haemorrhagic stroke.
"This could happen within hours of use, or after months or years of exposure," Lappin said.
Visit jnnp.bmj.com for the study.
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