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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience

Comprehensive Analysis of Transcription Dynamics from Brain Samples Following Behavioral Experience

Published on: August 26, 2014

Addictive illegal drugs: structural neuroimaging.

S Geibprasert¹, M Gallucci, T Krings

¹Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology

|October 31, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This review details how illegal drug abuse, including cannabis, solvents, amphetamines, and opioids, impacts the central nervous system. Neuroimaging reveals structural changes from drug use, aiding diagnosis when clinical signs are unclear.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Radiology
Toxicology

Background:

Central nervous system (CNS) impairment results from illegal addictive drug use.
Clinical presentation of drug abuse is often nonspecific.
Patients may not disclose substance abuse, complicating diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

To review structural neuroimaging findings associated with chronic and acute abuse of common illegal drugs.
To highlight the role of neuroradiology in diagnosing drug-induced CNS damage.

Main Methods:

Review of structural imaging findings on CT, MR imaging, and conventional angiography.
Analysis of pathomechanisms including excitotoxicity and vascular complications.
Inclusion of commonly abused substances: cannabis, organic solvents, amphetamines, and opioids.

Main Results:

Drug abuse can cause leukoencephalopathy via excitotoxicity.
Vascular complications like vasoconstriction, vasculitis, and hypertension lead to hemorrhage or ischemia.
Neuroimaging demonstrates distinct structural changes related to specific drug classes.

Conclusions:

Neuroradiology is crucial for diagnosing CNS damage from illegal drug abuse.
Identifying imaging biomarkers can initiate timely treatment.
Understanding imaging findings aids in managing patients with suspected substance abuse.