It is thought that in utero exposure to methamphetamines alters fetal development restricting growth and causing impaired brain development. Although it is not exactly clear how meth exposure affects development of the central nervous system, there is a clear correlation between meth-induced toxicity and restricted neural development.

Children exposed to meth before birth commonly have neurocognitive deficits, especially related to sustained attention and delayed verbal memory. These deficits are thought to be caused by reduced volume of underlying cognitive structures. Because of this, researchers are evaluating the efficacy of Cogmed training on improving cognitive function and brain development in children exposed to meth in utero.