Am J Psychiatry 1976; 133:627-634
Copyright © 1976 by American Psychiatric Association
Cocaine, kindling, and psychosis
RM Post and RT Kopanda
The authors review the evidence that repetitive administration of central
nervous system stimulants and other compounds may be associated with
progressively increasing effects on pathological behavior and seizures
rather than tolerance. They suggest that the progressive effects of these
compounds may be related to electrical kindling, a phenomenon in which
repetitive subthreshold stimulation of the limbic system is eventually
associated with major motor seizures. They review the studies supporting a
pharmacological kindling mechansim and suggest a kindling model for
psychological stimuli that combines neurophysiological, biochemical, and
psychological perspectives.
