About 25 000 people regularly abuse methamphetamine in the Czech Republic. This paper presents the most important results of the seven-year follow-up of methamphetamine dependent patients at the Dpt. of Psychiatry in Hradec Králové from the genetic, psychological, and cognitive perspective. One hundred and twenty three patients (women N = 44) at the average age of 24.0±4.4 years consequently entered the study. The average duration of their methamphetamine abuse was 7.0±3.1 years. As compared to 400 healthy volunteers, we did not prove the association between methamphetamine dependence and the Val158Met catechol-Omethyltransferase gene polymorphism. The personality of methamphetamine dependent patients was significantly different from control subjects according to the TCI questionnaire. Novelty seeking, harm avoidance and self-transcendence were significantly more prominent in the patients, whilst reward dependence, self directedness, cooperativeness and persistence (a trend to significance) were significantly more expressed in healthy volunteers. Based on the WCST examination, we proved a cognitive weakening in the methamphetamine dependent patients especially related to the ability to flexibly react to a new situation, form a logical conception, and learn. The CPT results suggest a "cognitive impulsiveness" in the patients. Our results can be potentially useful in the prophylaxis, treatment and rehabilitation of persons dependent on methamphetamine.

Key words: dependence on methamphetamine – Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene – personality in methamphetamine dependence – cognitive impairment