Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026
12:31
A Visual Description of the Dissection of the Cerebral Surface Vasculature and Associated Meninges and the Choroid Plexus from Rat Brain
Published on: November 14, 2012
Illicit Drugs and Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome
Katherine Short1, Hedley C A Emsley1,2
1Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom.
The Neurohospitalist
|April 19, 2021
Summary
Illicit drug use, particularly cannabis, is linked to reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). Further research and consistent diagnostic criteria are needed to understand RCVS triggers.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) presents with thunderclap headache and cerebral vasospasm.
- Various factors may precipitate RCVS, including illicit drug use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of illicit drugs as a precipitating factor in RCVS.
- To review the existing literature on drug-induced RCVS.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of relevant scientific literature.
- Analysis of reported cases linking illicit drugs to RCVS.
Main Results:
- Cannabis showed the strongest association with RCVS among illicit drugs.
- Limited evidence supports other illicit drugs as individual RCVS precipitants.
- Inconsistent application of diagnostic criteria for RCVS was identified.
Conclusions:
- Cannabis is a potential trigger for RCVS.
- Standardized diagnostic criteria are crucial for future RCVS research.
- A prospective RCVS registry could enhance understanding of its causes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
CNS stimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabinoids, have varying structures and mechanisms of action that lead to different therapeutic effects and side effects. Cocaine, with its molecular formula C17H21NO4, is a tropane alkaloid and a tertiary amino compound. It has two chemical forms: the hydrochloride salt and the "freebase." The former is in powder form, while the latter involves removing the hydrochloride salt to create a form that can be smoked. Cocaine exerts its effects by...
01:22CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
01:26Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...