Nk. Mello et Jh. Mendelson, COCAINE EFFECTS ON NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS - CLINICAL AND PRECLINICAL STUDIES, Pharmacology, biochemistry and behavior, 57(3), 1997, pp. 571-599
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.