Neuroimaging Studies in Drug Abusers

Neuroimaging studies with computed tomography (CT), diffusion tensor imaging (DIT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) revealed numerous alterations in different brain regions of drug abusers. The alterations encompassed, e.g., brain atrophy, neurochemical abnormalities, perfusions deficits, focal demyelinations, and hyperintense lesions as well as microstructural abnormalities in the white matter. However, the underlying cause or possible neuropathological correlates of the majority of the observed findings are still unclear.