Brain Differences in College-aged Occasional Drug Users

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered impaired neuronal activity in the parts of brain associated with anticipatory functioning among 18-24 year-old users of stimulant drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, and prescription drugs such as Adderall. The brain differences, detected using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are believed to represent an internal hard wiring that may make some people more prone to drug addiction later in life. The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, measured reaction times of participants who were instructed to press buttons on a keyboard when either an X or O appeared on a computer screen. The outcomes from the study showed that the occasional drug users (characterized as having taken stimulants an average of 12 to 15 times) have slightly faster reaction times, suggesting a tendency toward impulsivity. The brain images of the occasional users showed consistent patterns of diminished neuronal activity in the part of the brain associated with anticipatory functioning. The results of the study suggest that the root of the problem is an impaired ability to anticipate a situation and to detect trends in when they need to stop a certain activity. The next step for researchers will be to determine the degree to which these brain activity patterns can be recalibrated or whether or not they are permanent. To read more about this study, click here.