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Substance abuse and cerebral blood flow.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mathew, RJ; Wilson, WH
Published in: Am J Psychiatry
March 1991

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: This paper reviews acute and chronic effects of drugs of abuse on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism and their clinical significance. The most important source of information for the review is human research reports published in refereed journals. A few animal studies, book chapters, and abstracts that are especially relevant are also included. RESULTS: In humans, ethanol in small doses produces cerebral vasodilation; higher doses induce cerebral vasoconstriction. Chronic alcoholism is associated with reduced CBF and cerebral metabolism. Sedatives and antianxiety drugs lead to global reduction in CBF and cerebral metabolism. Caffeine, even in small doses, is a potent cerebral vasoconstrictor. Cerebral vasodilation is seen immediately after cigarette smoking, but chronic smokers show global reduction in CBF. Changes in CBF after marijuana smoking are variable; both increases and decreases are seen. Chronic marijuana smoking, however, seems to reduce CBF. Most inhalants and solvents are vasodilators; chronic abuse is accompanied by a decrease in CBF. A number of drugs of abuse, including ethanol, amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine, and caffeine-phenylpropanolamine combinations, increase the risk for stroke. Reduction in CBF associated with chronic use of ethanol, nicotine, inhalants, and solvents is at least partially reversible upon abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: Topics for future research include regional brain function, which mediates drug-induced mood changes (euphoria); CBF concomitants of psychological and physiological characteristics that increase addiction potential; changes in CBF that accompany withdrawal syndromes; mechanisms responsible for drug-induced stroke; and effects of functional and organic complications on CBF.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0002-953X

Publication Date

March 1991

Volume

148

Issue

3

Start / End Page

292 / 305

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Rats
  • Psychiatry
  • Male
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dogs
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders
 

Citation

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MLA
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Mathew, R. J., & Wilson, W. H. (1991). Substance abuse and cerebral blood flow. Am J Psychiatry, 148(3), 292–305. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.148.3.292
Mathew, R. J., and W. H. Wilson. “Substance abuse and cerebral blood flow.Am J Psychiatry 148, no. 3 (March 1991): 292–305. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.148.3.292.
Mathew RJ, Wilson WH. Substance abuse and cerebral blood flow. Am J Psychiatry. 1991 Mar;148(3):292–305.
Mathew, R. J., and W. H. Wilson. “Substance abuse and cerebral blood flow.Am J Psychiatry, vol. 148, no. 3, Mar. 1991, pp. 292–305. Pubmed, doi:10.1176/ajp.148.3.292.
Mathew RJ, Wilson WH. Substance abuse and cerebral blood flow. Am J Psychiatry. 1991 Mar;148(3):292–305.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0002-953X

Publication Date

March 1991

Volume

148

Issue

3

Start / End Page

292 / 305

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Rats
  • Psychiatry
  • Male
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dogs
  • Cerebrovascular Disorders