QUANTITATIVE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CRACK COCAINEDEPENDENCE

This study replicates preliminary findings reporting a quantitative el ectroencephalographic (QEEG) profile of crack cocaine dependence in ab stinence. All subjects (n = 52) met criteria for DMS-III-R cocaine dep endence (in the form of crack), and were residing in a drug-fret thera peutic community, Baseline QEEG et evaluations were conducted at intak e (5-10 days after last use of crack, and at follow-up (I month after last reported use). Previous findings of significant excess of relativ e alpha power and deficit of absolute and relative delta and theta pow er were replicated in this expanded group. Abnormalities were greater in anterior than posterior regions, and disturbances in interhemispher ic relationships were also observed. Further, QEEG showed little chang e in the interval between the first and second evaluations. This QEEG profile may reflect persistent alterations in neurotransmission as a p ossible consequence of chronic cocaine exposure. (C) 1996 Society of B iological Psychiatry