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A Protocol for Measuring Cue Reactivity in a Rat Model of Cocaine Use Disorder
Published on: June 18, 2018
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Enduring changes in brain metabolites and executive functioning in abstinent cocaine users
Candice E Crocker1, Scot E Purdon2, Christopher C Hanstock3
1Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|July 16, 2017
Summary
Moderate cocaine abstinence shows lasting brain changes, impacting cognitive function. Abstinent users exhibit reduced N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and glutamate, affecting executive functions like set-shifting.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cocaine addiction is a significant public health issue globally.
- Limited data exists on the metabolic and cognitive effects of cocaine abstinence.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurochemical and cognitive profiles of abstinent cocaine users.
- To compare brain metabolism and cognitive performance with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3T 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to assess prefrontal cortex neurochemistry.
- Included 21 moderate-term abstinent cocaine users and 30 healthy controls.
- Administered cognitive tests including Trail Making Test B and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.
Main Results:
- Abstinent users showed a 10% decrease in N-acetylaspartate (NAA) compared to controls (p<0.01).
- Former crack smokers had lower glutamate levels than controls (p<0.05), unlike powder users.
- Abstinent users performed worse on cognitive tasks, with NAA levels inversely related to Trail Making Test B performance.
Conclusions:
- Cocaine cessation, even for moderate terms, is associated with persistent brain alterations.
- These neurochemical changes correlate with cognitive deficits, particularly in executive functions.
- Findings highlight the long-term impact of cocaine use on brain structure and function.
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