NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNS OF COCAINE DEPENDENCE - INCREASED ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM-BETA DURING WITHDRAWAL

To determine whether a central nervous system marker of cocaine depend ence might exist, the resting electroencephalogram (EEG) of 33 drug-fr ee, cocaine-dependent men (DSM-III-R criteria) was compared with two c ontrol groups [nondrug group (n=10) and drug group who abused drugs, b ur were not cocaine dependent (n=20)]. The EEC was recordedfrom eight sites after about 10 days of monitored abstinence (range 4-15 days) on a closed research ward for the drug-using individuals. The EEG was re corded for the nondrug control group as outpatients. The drug history was determined by the drug history questionnaire and a medical screeni ng interview. The percent of EEG beta activity for the cocaine-depende nt subjects was greater than that of both control groups (p <.05) as w ell as a normative database (HZI. Tarrytown, NYJ. The percent of EEG b eta in frontal and central areas of the cocaine-dependent individuals was correlated with the frequency of cocaine use during the last 30 da ys, High levels of EEG beta may be a neurophysiological withdrawal sig n in cocaine-dependent men. (C) 1997 Society of Biological Psychiatry.