title: Neuroimaging in drug and substance abuse part I: cocaine, cannabis, and ecstasy.
abstract: Multiple neurological complications of cocaine abuse have been described including both ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events, atrophy in the case of chronic abuse, and an increase in incidence of congenital malformations in the setting of maternal use. The abuse of cannabis may cause a number of neurovascular changes that, in turn, may result in ischemic events, however, a direct connection between these has not been fully established. The use of MDMA (ecstasy), a popular recreational drug, has been related to ischemic and hemorrhagic cerebrovascular events, as well as atrophy. Neuroimaging studies are vital in the assessment of the extent of neurologic damage in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Section, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. rrojas@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riascos
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cuellar
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borne
mesh_terms: D001284:Atrophy; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000633:toxicity*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine