Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Chang, L. Articles by Mehringer, C. M. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Chang, L. Articles by Mehringer, C. M. Neurophysiology Gender Cocaine MRS

Gender Effects on Persistent Cerebral Metabolite Changes in the Frontal Lobes of Abstinent Cocaine Users

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies found functional changes in the frontal brain region and regions with projections to the frontal lobe in cocaine users. The aim of this study was to investigate persistent neurochemical changes in the frontal lobes of subjects with a history of crack cocaine dependence and to determine whether these changes are different in male and female users. METHOD: The frontal gray and white matter of 64 young asymptomatic and abstinent (>5 months) cocaine users (34 male and 30 female) and 58 healthy comparison subjects without a history of drug abuse was evaluated with localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS). RESULTS: Two-way analysis of variance showed significant cocaine effects on the concentration of frontal gray matter N-acetyl compounds, on the ratio of frontal white matter N-acetyl compounds to creatine levels, on frontal gray and white matter myoinositol levels, and on the ratio of myoinositol to creatine. Significant gender effects were observed for frontal gray matter choline-containing compounds, the ratio of choline-containing compounds to creatine, and the percentage of CSF in both gray and white matter. Interaction effects of cocaine and gender were observed for creatine, N-acetyl/creatine ratio, and myoinositol/creatine ratio in frontal white matter. CONCLUSIONS: Cocaine use is associated with neuronal injury (with decreased N-acetyl compounds) in the frontal cortex and glial activation (with increased myoinositol) in both frontal gray and white matter. In the frontal lobe, cocaine affects male users differently than female users. Future studies on the effects of cocaine abuse should control for the effects of gender-specific neurotoxicity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. M. L. de Win, G. Jager, J. Booij, L. Reneman, T. Schilt, C. Lavini, S. D. Olabarriaga, N. F. Ramsey, G. J. d. Heeten, and W. van den Brink Neurotoxic effects of ecstasy on the thalamus The British Journal of Psychiatry, October 1, 2008; 193(4): 289 - 296. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Chang, T. Ernst, O. Speck, and C. S. Grob Additive Effects of HIV and Chronic Methamphetamine Use on Brain Metabolite Abnormalities Am J Psychiatry, February 1, 2005; 162(2): 361 - 369. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Kilts, R. E. Gross, T. D. Ely, and K. P.G. Drexler The Neural Correlates of Cue-Induced Craving in Cocaine-Dependent Women Am J Psychiatry, February 1, 2004; 161(2): 233 - 241. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Haselhorst, K. M. Dursteler-MacFarland, K. Scheffler, D. Ladewig, F. Muller-Spahn, R. Stohler, J. Seelig, and E. Seifritz Frontocortical N-acetylaspartate reduction associated with long-term IV heroin use Neurology, January 22, 2002; 58(2): 305 - 307. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L.M. Smith, L. Chang, M.L. Yonekura, C. Grob, D. Osborn, and T. Ernst Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children exposed to methamphetamine in utero Neurology, July 24, 2001; 57(2): 255 - 260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Seifritz, K. M. Dursteler-MacFarland, K. M. Dursteler-MacFarland, R. Stohler, and A. Raine Is Prefrontal Cortex Thinning Specific for Antisocial Personality Disorder? Arch Gen Psychiatry, April 1, 2001; 58(4): 402 - 403. [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M. Smith, L. Chang, M. L. Yonekura, K. Gilbride, J. Kuo, R. E. Poland, I. Walot, and T. Ernst Brain Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Imaging in Children Exposed to Cocaine in Utero Pediatrics, February 1, 2001; 107(2): 227 - 231. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. M. DHOSSCHE Sex Differences in Cerebral Metabolism Among Abstinent Cocaine Users Am J Psychiatry, July 1, 2000; 157(7): 1184 - 1184. [Full Text]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1999 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us