Correlatos Neuropsicológicos y Emocionales Implicados en el Consumo de Cocaína: Una Revisión Teórica a los Nuevos Hallazgos

Abstract

Cocaine use is becoming an alarming health problem in developed countries. This issue has important economic, social and public health implications. Currently, efforts are focused on research in metabolic, neuropsychological and emotional changes resulting from chronic use. However, theoretical and critical reviews in this area are not available. The aim of our study is to review and integrate the latest findings and results regarding metabolic, neuropsychological and emotional abnormalities related to cocaine abuse. The results show a significant impairment of dopaminergic pathways in the frontal lobe, both in the number of receptors and depletion of the neurotransmitter, as well as an important executive function deficit in response inhibition, in attention and in working memory. In addition, alterations in the ability to identify emotions, impulsiveness, decision-making, anxiety and depression are shown in different studies. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]