[Use of cocaine and neuropsychological damage. Clinical implications]

The use of cocaine is a worldwide problem, not only because of its high prevalence but also because of the serious medical and social repercussions. The brain is one of the organs more directly affected by the consumption of cocaine. It provokes vascular damage, but especially alterations at the level of receptors and neuromodulators, that have severe repercussion on cognitive functioning. These alterations play an essential role in the social conduct of the individual and in his daily functioning, as well as in the perpetuation of the addiction and prognosis. Moreover, they determine the therapeutic results and the model of psychological intervention on a definitive way. This work tries to summarize and update the existing evidences concerning the neuropsychological damage provoked by the consumption of cocaine, its functional impact and clinical implications, as well as the questioned reversibility with the continued abstinence.