Magnetic Resonance Studies of Substance Abuse

Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy provide numerous ways to examine the effects of substance abuse on living tissues, ranging from high resolution anatomic imaging to dynamic imaging of tissue biochemical and functional changes. This review focuses on the role magnetic resonance studies have had in detecting brain anatomic changes associated with alcohol, stimulant, and narcotic abuse. Additionally, we focus on the increasing use of spectroscopy and functional magnetic resonance imaging, which can reveal subtle brain changes associated with substance abuse and which offer great promise to help elucidate drug reinforcement mechanisms.