title: Rapid cortical hemoglobin deoxygenation after heroin and methadone injection in humans: a preliminary report.
abstract: The short-term effects of intravenous opioids (heroin 20-300 mg, methadone 30-180 mg) on cortical hemoglobin oxygenation were examined by near infrared spectroscopy in ten opioid-dependent subjects and were compared with the effects of saline in ten age-matched normal controls. Heroin and methadone produced a rapid and dramatic decrease in cortical hemoglobin oxygenation. Saline had no effects. Opioid-induced acute deoxygenation of cortical hemoglobin is most likely associated with respiratory depression. Thorough medical monitoring is strongly recommended in intravenous opioid maintenance treatments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Zürich, Switzerland. stohler@spd.unizh.ch
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stohler
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Dürsteler
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Störmer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seifritz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hug
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sattler-Mayr
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muller-Spahn
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ladewig
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006441:Hemoglobin A / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D003932:Heroin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin; D006441:Hemoglobin A; D008691:Methadone