Alterations in brain-stem auditory evoked potentials among drug addicts: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the absolute latencies, the interpeak latencies, and amplitudes of diferent waveforms of brainstem auditory evoked potentials)BAEP(in diferent drug abusers and controls, and to identify early neurological damage in persons who abuse diferent drugs so that proper counseling and timely intervention can be undertaken. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, BAEP’s were assessed by a data acquisition and analysis system in 58 male drug abusers in the age group of 15-45 years as well as in 30 age matched healthy controls. The absolute peak latencies and the interpeak latencies of BAEP were analyzed by applying one way ANOVA and student t-test. The study was carried out at the GGS Medical College, Faridkot, Punjab, India between July 2012 and May 2013. Results: The diference in the absolute peak latencies and interpeak latencies of BAEP in the 2 groups was found to be statistically significant in both the ears)p<0.05(. However, the diference in the amplitude ratio in both the ears was found to be statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Chronic intoxication by diferent drugs has been extensively associated with prolonged absolute peak latencies and interpeak latencies of BAEP in drug abusers reflecting an adverse effect of drug dependence on neural transmission in central auditory nerve pathways.