Mesa Cocaine Addiction - Cocaine Affects Brain Neurons

Mesa Cocaine Addiction - Studies that were presented at the annual meeting for the Society for Neuroscience suggested that neurons in all areas of the brain are affected by cocaine use.

Cocaine damaged the function of these neurons in multiple areas of the brain, but especially the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex helps with risk evaluation and controlling impulses.

The addicts in the study showed several deficits as a result of this neuron damage. Specifically, many addicts in the study could not assign values to various amounts of money.

The researchers hypothesized that these findings may explain why monetary consequences don't motivate addicts to change. Researchers also believe that some of the damage found in the study could persist after the user quits.