Neurovascular deficits in cocaine abusers

The nature of the neurological and cerebrovascular deficits in cocaine abus ers and whether they persist in abstinence is unclear. Blood flow velocity of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries was measured within 3 days and again after about 28 days after being admitted to an inpatient research wa rd to determine whether blood flow velocity improved during monitored absti nence conditions. The mean, systolic, and diastolic velocities as well as t he pulsatility index in middle and anterior cerebral arteries significantly differed between controls and cocaine abusers (p < .05). Cerebrovascular r esistance is increased in cocaine abusers and the increase persists for ove r a month of abstinence. Further research is needed to determine whether ce rebrovascular resistance can be improved by pharmacological manipulations a nd whether improved blood flow relates to improved treatment outcome.