EVENT-RELATED POTENTIAL CHANGES IN COCAINE WITHDRAWAL - EVIDENCE FOR LONG-TERM COGNITIVE EFFECTS

The effects of cocaine withdrawal on the latency of the P300 cognitive event-related potential were studied in 36 subjects. All subjects had used cocaine within 48 h of admission to an inpatient unit. P300 was recorded in a traditional auditory oddball paradigm 2 and 6 days follo wing admission. P300 latency decreased from day 2 to day 6 in subjects with a history of intravenous use, but was unchanged in subjects who had only used cocaine orally. The neurotransmitter systems mediating t his effect, and the differential cognitive effects of route of adminis tration are discussed.