QUANTITATIVE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOL, COCAINE, HEROIN AND DUAL-SUBSTANCE DEPENDENCE

Resting electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was evaluated in 88 dru g-dependent inpatients, abstinent 1-6 months, and 14 non-drug-dependen t controls. The patients were assigned to one of four groups using DSM -III-R criteria: alcohol-dependent (It = 12), cocaine-dependent (Ii = 21), heroin-dependent (n = 19), or dual alcohol- and cocaine-dependent (n = 36). The analysis revealed significant differences between the f ive subject groups in high- and low-frequency beta power, but not in o ther frequency bands. Beta power was significantly greater in the alco hol-dependent and cocaine-dependent groups relative to non-drug-depend ent controls. These group differences did not correlate with quantity/ frequency measures of alcohol or cocaine use, family history, personal ity, mood, or demographic characteristics. The similar increases in EE G beta found in alcohol- and cocaine-dependent patients do not suggest a direct drug effect. Rather, they suggest the existence of a common premorbid variable or a complex interaction between alcohol/drug use a nd other variables. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.