Cognitive Deficits in Cocaine Users

Cerebral and coronary vessels constriction can be seen in cocaine users. Cognitive problems can be the results of these pathological changes.

Chronic cocaine use can result in neuropsychological performance deficits and brain metabolism and perfusion abnormalities. These problems can be reversed and improved during abstinence. Memory storage difficulties cause significant verbal learning efficacy impairment in chronic cocaine users. Cognitive flexibility, learning, memory, attention and reaction time impairment can be seen in chronic cocaine users. Wisconsin card sorting test shows a strong correlation between deteriorations of moderate executive performance and the chronicity of cocaine and other drugs use [1-3].

Event-related fMRI can be used to compare drug users with controls. Significant alterations in temporal, frontal and insular cortex, striatum, hippocampus and amygdale can be seen in such drug users. During cognitive memory tasks, decision-making and inhibition, abnormal activation patterns can be seen which are related to such alterations in different parts of the brain in drug users. Such alterations in different parts of the brain are more significant and generalized in cocaine users [4-6].

The findings of these neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies show that rehabilitation of drug and cocaine users requires memory, motivational and executive control processes [6-9].

None.

No conflict of Interest.

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