Brain perfusion in polysubstance users: relationship to substance and tobacco use, cognition, and self-regulation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Brain perfusion is altered in both alcohol dependence and stimulant dependence. Although most substance users also abuse/depend on alcohol concurrently (polysubstance users; PSU), rigorous perfusion research in PSU is limited. Also, the relationships of perfusion abnormalities with cognition, impulsivity, or decision making are not well known.

Methods

Arterial spin labeling MRI and neuropsychological measures assessed perfusion levels and neurocognition in 20 alcohol-dependent individuals with comorbid-stimulant dependence (PSU), 26 individuals dependent on alcohol only (ALC), and 31 light/non-drinking controls (LD). The patient groups included smokers and non-smokers.

Results

ALC had lower perfusion than LD in subcortical and cortical brain regions includi

SUBMITTER: Murray DE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4387082 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature