Unique Methamphetamine Project for Women Underway at Billings Clinic Research Center

Billings, MT - Recognizing that methamphetamine usage in Montana is near the highest in the United States, Billings Clinic Research Center is investigating new options to help women who are fighting to stay off this illegal and dangerous drug.

Howard Knapp, MD, PhD, Vice President of Research at Billings Clinic, has designed a clinical research study to help look at prevention of methamphetamine relapse in women between the ages of 18-40.

The study will clinically treat 48 women with two different types of antidepressants for six months and then follow their progress for up to one year. In addition to medication, the study will also take an in depth look at their bone, pulmonary and heart health.

“Despite how widespread the problem is, no one has studied the long-term health effect of methamphetamine use on women who often get involved with this drug because of depression or low self-esteem,” says Dr. Knapp. “It is surprising how little medical information exists to understand the extent of permanent damage, especially to women’s hearts and lungs.”

Montana State University-Billings will also play an important part in this study, according to Knapp who is also the lead physician for this study and Vice President of Research at Billings Clinic. Dr. Russell Lord, who played a key role in orchestrating the SAMSHA Methamphetamine Study in 2000 in the Billings area, will be involved with the psychometric tests at each visit. Psychometrics is the field of study concerned with psychological measurement, which includes the measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and personality traits of each patient.

Patients will be referred from drug treatment courts and agencies throughout the area. The reason for this, explained Knapp, is to help ensure that each patient is receiving some type of rehabilitation during the study.

“In order for this clinical research study to succeed, it will take many partners from within our community who are also concerned for the health and well being of these women,” he said.

Funding for this study is through the United States Department of Justice. For more information on how to qualify for this study, please call (406) 259-2413 or (406) 247-6461.