Citation

Alper KR, Chabot RJ, Kim AH, Prichep LS, John ER. Psychiatry Res. 1990; 35(2): 95-105.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0925-4927(90)90013-v

PMID

2100807

Abstract

Evidence for a distinctive syndrome of neuroadaptation in cocaine dependence has accumulated from behavioral, neurophysiological, and preclinical and clinical pharmacological studies. The authors report on the results of a preliminary investigation of the quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) correlates of severe DSM-III-R crack cocaine dependence in seven patients abstinent from cocaine for 1 to 68 days. The major QEEG finding was increased absolute and relative alpha power. Increased alpha power has also been reported in multiple previous studies of depressed patients. This series of crack-dependent patients showed significant depressive morbidity; four patients attempted suicide subsequent to initiating their use of crack and the group mean (+/- SD) Beck Depression Scale score was 18.9 (+/- 6.5). These results complement other studies that support the concept of neuroadaptation to chronic cocaine exposure. Prospective studies correlating QEEG measures with subsequent response to pharmacological interventions for cocaine dependence should be considered.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Brain; Brain Mapping; Cocaine; Electroencephalography; Female; Humans; Male; Substance-Related Disorders