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Elevated motor threshold in drug-free, cocaine-dependent patients assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Boutros, NN; Lisanby, SH; Tokuno, H; Torello, MW; Campbell, D; Berman, R; Malison, R; Krystal, JH; Kosten, T
Published in: Biol Psychiatry
February 15, 2001

BACKGROUND: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) provides a noninvasive method of examining cortical inhibitory and excitatory processes and cortical excitability in awake subjects. There is evidence from clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) data that cortical excitability may be abnormal in some psychiatric populations. Chronic cocaine abuse influences a number of neurotransmitters that are involved in the excitatory/inhibitory balance of the cerebral cortex. This pilot study was conducted to ascertain the possible utility of TMS in examining cortical excitability in a population of chronic cocaine abusers. METHODS: The right and left motor thresholds of ten cocaine-dependent subjects, according to DSM-IV, and ten normal control subjects were examined using single pulse TMS. RESULTS: The resting motor thresholds resulting from stimulation of the right or the left motor cortical regions were significantly elevated in cocaine-dependent subjects compared with matched control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data suggest that chronic cocaine use significantly alters cortical excitability in the direction of increased inhibition or decreased excitability. We hypothesize that this observation reflects adaptation to those effects of cocaine intoxication that promote cortical excitability and seizures.

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Published In

Biol Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0006-3223

Publication Date

February 15, 2001

Volume

49

Issue

4

Start / End Page

369 / 373

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • Sensory Thresholds
  • Psychiatry
  • Pilot Projects
  • Motor Cortex
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Electroencephalography
 

Citation

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Boutros, N. N., Lisanby, S. H., Tokuno, H., Torello, M. W., Campbell, D., Berman, R., … Kosten, T. (2001). Elevated motor threshold in drug-free, cocaine-dependent patients assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Biol Psychiatry, 49(4), 369–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00948-3
Boutros, N. N., S. H. Lisanby, H. Tokuno, M. W. Torello, D. Campbell, R. Berman, R. Malison, J. H. Krystal, and T. Kosten. “Elevated motor threshold in drug-free, cocaine-dependent patients assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation.Biol Psychiatry 49, no. 4 (February 15, 2001): 369–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00948-3.
Boutros NN, Lisanby SH, Tokuno H, Torello MW, Campbell D, Berman R, et al. Elevated motor threshold in drug-free, cocaine-dependent patients assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Biol Psychiatry. 2001 Feb 15;49(4):369–73.
Boutros, N. N., et al. “Elevated motor threshold in drug-free, cocaine-dependent patients assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation.Biol Psychiatry, vol. 49, no. 4, Feb. 2001, pp. 369–73. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00948-3.
Boutros NN, Lisanby SH, Tokuno H, Torello MW, Campbell D, Berman R, Malison R, Krystal JH, Kosten T. Elevated motor threshold in drug-free, cocaine-dependent patients assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Biol Psychiatry. 2001 Feb 15;49(4):369–373.
Journal cover image

Published In

Biol Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

0006-3223

Publication Date

February 15, 2001

Volume

49

Issue

4

Start / End Page

369 / 373

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • Sensory Thresholds
  • Psychiatry
  • Pilot Projects
  • Motor Cortex
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Electroencephalography