COCAINE EFFECTS ON NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS - CLINICAL AND PRECLINICAL STUDIES

This review examines the effects of cocaine on the neuroendocrine syst em and summarizes findings from clinical studies of cocaine abusers an d preclinical studies in rodents and rhesus monkeys. The effects of ac ute and chronic cocaine administration on anterior pituitary,gonadal, and adrenal hormones are described, and the functional consequences of chronic cocaine exposure are discussed. Many of cocaine's acute effec ts on the endocrine system are consistent with its actions as a monoam ine reuptake inhibitor. Acute cocaine administration stimulates releas e of gonadotropins, ACTH, and cortisol or corticosterone and suppresse s prolactin levels. It has been difficult to detect changes in basal l evels of most hormones or alterations in hormone responsiveness to a c hallenge dose of cocaine or other agents after chronic cocaine treatme nt. Interpretation of clinical data is often complicated by polydrug a buse involving opiates and alcohol as well as cocaine. However, precli nical studies of the effects of chronic cocaine exposure on integrated neuroendocrine function have revealed disruptions of the estrous cycl e in rats and the menstrual cycle in rhesus monkeys. Furthermore, the menstrual cycle disorders observed in rhesus monkeys parallel those re ported in women who abuse cocaine. Much remains to be learned about co caine's interactions with the endocrine system and the consequences of cocaine abuse for reproductive function. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science In c.