EFFECTS OF COCAINE ON P3B IN COCAINE ABUSERS

Little is known about the effects of cocaine on cognitive tasks. Event -related potentials (ERP) were recorded in 7 cocaine abusers during th e performance of the auditory oddball task before and after the intrav enous injections of saline and cocaine (60-80 mg). The P3B and slow wa ve components of the ERP were significantly larger 60-210 min after th e cocaine than after the placebo injection. The results suggest that c ocaine abusers have difficulty in maintaining optimal stimulus process ing during extended testing. Cocaine blocks this decrement in stimulus processing.