Cocaine uptake is decreased in the brain of detoxified cocaine abusers

N. D. Volkow, G. J. Wang, J. S. Fowler, J. Logan, R. Hitzemann, S. J. Gatley, R. R. MacGregor, A. P. Wolf

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

109 Scopus citations

Abstract

Binding of[11C]cocaine in brain was measured with positron emission tomography in 12 detoxified cocaine abusers and in 20 controls to evaluate if there were changes in cocaine binding and in dopamine (DA) transporter availability associated with chronic cocaine use. Nine controls and 10 cocaine abusers had an additional scan with [18F]N-methylspiroperidol to measure dopamine D2 receptors. Cocaine abusers had significantly lower uptake of [11C]cocaine in brain (6.2 ± 1% dose/cc tissues) than controls (7.7 ± 2%). The distribution volumes (DV) for [11C]cocaine were reduced in basal ganglia (BG), cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum (CB) of cocaine abusers. However there were no differences in the ratio of the DV in BG to that in CB, which is an estimate of DA transporter availability. Values for DA D2 receptor availability were decreased in cocaine abusers and did not correlate with estimates of dopamine transporter availability In summary, detoxified cocaine abusers showed decreased uptake of cocaine in brain but did not show changes in DA transporter availability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-168
Number of pages10
JournalNeuropsychopharmacology
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CBF
  • Dopamine receptors
  • Dopamine transporter
  • Drug dependence
  • [18F]N-methylspiroperidol
  • [C]Cocaine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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