Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
10:05
Rodent Brain Microinjection to Study Molecular Substrates of Motivated Behavior
Published on: September 16, 2015
15.0K
Neurological aspects of drug misuse
Robin S Howard1, Paul Holmes2, Paul Dargan2
1Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK robinhoward@nhs.net.
Practical Neurology
|May 27, 2025
Summary
Drug misuse, including opioids and stimulants, causes severe neurological issues from overdose and chronic use. Neurologists must recognize acute toxicity and long-term effects for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Addiction Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Drug-use disorder is a complex global health issue.
- New psychoactive substances and evolving misuse patterns (opioids, stimulants, synthetic cannabinoids) increase complexity.
- Neurological complications arise from overdose, withdrawal, and chronic drug misuse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review worldwide demographic data on drug-use disorder.
- To discuss drug classes, mechanisms, administration, toxicity, and withdrawal.
- To examine acute and long-term neurological complications.
Main Methods:
- Review of worldwide demographic data on drug-use disorder.
- Discussion of individual drug classes and newer developments.
- Analysis of neurological manifestations, including acute toxicity and long-term effects.
Main Results:
- Drug misuse leads to diverse neurological complications, including trauma, infection, seizures, stroke, and cognitive impairment.
- Neurological consequences disproportionately affect young populations.
- Acute toxicity syndromes and longer-term effects like movement and neuromuscular disorders are observed.
Conclusions:
- Neurological complications are a significant consequence of drug-use disorder.
- Early recognition of acute toxicity by neurologists is crucial.
- Understanding long-term neurological effects is essential for managing drug-use disorder.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:15Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
1.1K
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
1.1K
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
403
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
403
01:24CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
792
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...
792
01:28An Overview of Psychoactive Drugs
585
Psychoactive drugs impact brain function, influencing perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior. These substances are grouped based on their effects and the mechanisms by which they act.
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine enhance brain activity, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy. These drugs typically raise heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. While they can induce feelings of euphoria, their misuse can result in severe health...
585
01:29Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis
2.1K
Drugs affecting neurotransmitter synthesis can impact the adrenergic neuron and the synthesis of neurotransmitters. For example, α-methyltyrosine and carbidopa target specific enzymes involved in catecholamine synthesis. α-methyltyrosine inhibits the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, which converts tyrosine into dopamine. By blocking this enzyme, α-methyltyrosine reduces dopamine production and other catecholamines. Carbidopa, on the other hand, inhibits the enzyme dopa decarboxylase,...
2.1K
01:28Disorders of the Nervous Tissue
2.5K
Nervous tissue is a vital component of the human body's communication system, enabling us to perceive and respond to stimuli. However, like all other tissues, it is vulnerable to disorders and diseases that can significantly impact our neurological functioning.
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
Homeostatic Imbalances:
Alzheimer's disease manifests as a gradual decline in memory and cognitive abilities, attributed to the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
Parkinson's disease arises from the...
2.5K