Background: The neurotrophin brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a key participant in cognitive processes, such as learning and memory. It is recognized as an effector immediate early gene (IEG) capable of influencing synaptic activity pre- and post synaptically. Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that disrupts activity at the synapse. This interruption causes alterations in monoamines and IEGs related to learning and memory in the hippocampus. METH users are known to perform subpar than controls on tasks of verbal/nonverbal memory and recognition, but the mechanisms that underlie these disturbances are unclear.