Full Text Full Text (PDF) Correction (v158,p1952) 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 Adinoff, B. Articles by Payne, K. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Adinoff, B. Articles by Payne, K. Neurophysiology Cocaine Symptoms/Dimensions SPECT

Limbic Responsiveness to Procaine in Cocaine-Addicted Subjects

OBJECTIVE: The limbic system plays a critical role in motivation, emotional expression, and memory. The authors investigated whether a state of permanent limbic neuronal hyperexcitability, or sensitization, is present in cocaine addicts as a consequence of repeated cocaine use. METHOD: Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was used to compare the central nervous system response to the limbic stimulus procaine in 10 cocaine-dependent male patients and 10 healthy comparison male subjects. RESULTS: The cocaine-addicted subjects demonstrated bilateral activation of the orbitofrontal cortex after the procaine challenge, whereas the comparison subjects showed activation of the anterior cingulate, bilateral insular, and right amygdalar regions. After receiving placebo, the cocaine-addicted subjects showed markedly lower rCBF in the bilateral orbitofrontal cortex than the comparison subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of hypoperfusion in the placebo state followed by heightened activation with procaine in the cocaine-addicted subjects is similar to the pattern of interictal hypoperfusion and ictal hyperperfusion that has been observed in subjects with epilepsy. The findings for the cocaine-addicted subjects may thus represent evidence of localized (orbitofrontal) sensitization.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. A. WINSTANLEY The Orbitofrontal Cortex, Impulsivity, and Addiction: Probing Orbitofrontal Dysfunction at the Neural, Neurochemical, and Molecular Level Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., December 1, 2007; 1121(1): 639 - 655. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Winstanley, Q. LaPlant, D. E. H. Theobald, T. A. Green, R. K. Bachtell, L. I. Perrotti, R. J. DiLeone, S. J. Russo, W. J. Garth, D. W. Self, et al. {Delta}FosB Induction in Orbitofrontal Cortex Mediates Tolerance to Cocaine-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction J. Neurosci., September 26, 2007; 27(39): 10497 - 10507. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Dom, B. Sabbe, W. Hulstijn, and W. van den Brink Substance use disorders and the orbitofrontal cortex: Systematic review of behavioural decision-making and neuroimaging studies The British Journal of Psychiatry, September 1, 2005; 187(3): 209 - 220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Adinoff, M. D. Devous Sr., D. B. Cooper, S. E. Best, P. Chandler, T. Harris, C. A. Cervin, and C. M. Cullum Resting Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and Gambling Task Performance in Cocaine-Dependent Subjects and Healthy Comparison Subjects Am J Psychiatry, October 1, 2003; 160(10): 1892 - 1894. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Shidara and B. J. Richmond Anterior Cingulate: Single Neuronal Signals Related to Degree of Reward Expectancy Science, May 31, 2002; 296(5573): 1709 - 1711. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2001 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

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