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Bluelight Crew
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January 2 2003
By Michael Bradley
Cocaine harms and even kills the brain cells that allow users to feel the drug's effects, according to research to be published this month.
The study examined post-mortem brain tissue samples from 35 known cocaine abusers and 35 non-drug users of about the same age, sex, race and with similar causes of death.
Levels of the pleasure-signalling chemical dopamine were significantly lower in the brains of cocaine abusers than in those of non-drug users.
The study also examined levels of the protein VMAT2, which interacts with dopamine to produce the high that users experience. Levels were significantly lower in the brains of the cocaine users than in those of non-users.
Levels of dopamine and VMAT2 tended to be lowest in cocaine users who suffered from depression. The study was conducted at the University of Michigan Health System and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/01/01/1041196689922.html Full Article.
By Michael Bradley
Cocaine harms and even kills the brain cells that allow users to feel the drug's effects, according to research to be published this month.
The study examined post-mortem brain tissue samples from 35 known cocaine abusers and 35 non-drug users of about the same age, sex, race and with similar causes of death.
Levels of the pleasure-signalling chemical dopamine were significantly lower in the brains of cocaine abusers than in those of non-drug users.
The study also examined levels of the protein VMAT2, which interacts with dopamine to produce the high that users experience. Levels were significantly lower in the brains of the cocaine users than in those of non-users.
Levels of dopamine and VMAT2 tended to be lowest in cocaine users who suffered from depression. The study was conducted at the University of Michigan Health System and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/01/01/1041196689922.html Full Article.
