Neurochemical adaptation to cocaine abuse: reduction of N-acetyl aspartate in thalamus of human cocaine abusers. Biol Psychiatry 1999 Jun 01;45(11):1481-7
Date
06/05/1999Pubmed ID
10356631DOI
10.1016/s0006-3223(98)00230-3Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0032880716 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 50 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the existence of, and possible mechanisms for, chronic cocaine use-induced neurotoxicity in the human brain. Because in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a noninvasive way to detect biochemical and physiological changes in the brain, we sought to specifically determine the neurochemical adaptations in chronic cocaine-dependent subjects.
METHODS: Twenty-one cocaine users and 13 non-drug-using, age-matched normal volunteers were recruited for an in vivo proton MRS study. Following screening that included physical examination, histories, and blood testing, cocaine group subjects received a spectral scan on a 1.5-T GE Signa scanner. Spectra were obtained from the left basal ganglia and/or the left thalamus from subjects in both groups using an rf bird-cage type head coil with single-voxel localization.
RESULTS: The level of N-acetyl aspartate in the region of left thalamus was lower (17%) in the chronic cocaine user group but not in the region of left basal ganglia, compared with the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that chronic cocaine use may induce abnormal neurochemical activity and a state of neuronal dysregulation and/or neurotoxicity. It will now be important to determine if these alterations are reversible during withdrawal and what the functional implications of this observation are with respect to cognitive function and drug relapse.
Author List
Li SJ, Wang Y, Pankiewicz J, Stein EAMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAspartic Acid
Basal Ganglia
Biomarkers
Brain Chemistry
Case-Control Studies
Choline
Chronic Disease
Cocaine
Cocaine-Related Disorders
Creatine
Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Male
Thalamus
