BRAIN, LUNG, AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERACTIONS WITH COCAINE AND COCAINE-INDUCED CATECHOLAMINE EFFECTS (FROM COCAINE: PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOPATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS, P 9- 20, 1992, ALFONSO PAREDES AND DAVID A GORELICK, EDS.)

• NCJ Number: 141644
• Author(s): J N Wilkins
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper reviews evidence which suggests that steroid-potentiated actions of catecholamines on vascular tissues contributes to the etiology of cocaine-related medical complications.

Abstract

First, the mechanisms by which the brain removes cocaine from blood and the role of the lung as a site of cocaine sequestration are discussed. Second, the paper describes the effect of cocaine on circulating levels of select catecholamines, including dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, as well as on corticotropin-releasing factor, adrenocorticotropic hormine, and cortisol. Third, the potential pathophysiologic impact of cocaine-release catecholamines on the brain, heart, and lung is examined. The study concludes that much of cocaine's dependency- producing capabilities appear to be secondary to its effects on the catecholamine systems, especially the dopamine-based reinforcement systems of the brain; however, most of the drug remains in the periphery, where it acts on a number of organ systems other than the brain. Upon administration, cocaine is readily taken up by the lung. Some metabolism may occur in the lung, but most of the drug is re-released back into the circulation in minutes. Cocaine has a potent effect on circulating levels of catecholamines, especially in the first 10 minutes after administration. 36 references