3,465 results match your criteria: "Toxicity Cocaine"

Characterizing and responding to stimulant overdoses: Findings from a mixed methods study of people who use cocaine and other stimulants in New England.

Drug Alcohol Depend

November 2024

Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02912, USA; Center of Biomedical Research Excellence on Opioids and Overdose, Rhode Island Hospital, 1125 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA; The Warren Alpert School of Medicine of Brown University, 222 Richmond Street, Providence, RI 02912,  USA; Brandeis University Opioid Policy Research Collaborative, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA, USA. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the experiences of individuals who use stimulants, focusing on factors influencing the decision to call 911 during overdose incidents.
  • Conducted in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the survey found that a significant percentage of participants experienced or witnessed stimulant overdoses, with variations in emergency response based on educational level and severity of symptoms.
  • Despite many participants suffering from severe symptoms, less than half reported calling 911 for help, highlighting a need for more research to understand barriers to seeking emergency assistance during stimulant overdoses.
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Melatonin Protects Against Cocaine-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction and Cognitive Impairment by Regulating miR-320a-Dependent GLUT1 Expression.

J Pineal Res

November 2024

Key Laboratory of Cell Biology and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Department of Developmental Cell Biology, Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.

Article Synopsis
  • - Cocaine abuse disrupts the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by decreasing the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in brain cells, which leads to cognitive issues and increased BBB leakage.
  • - The study reveals that cocaine elevates the level of miR-320a, which then reduces GLUT1 expression through the activation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2).
  • - Melatonin can help counteract cocaine-induced BBB disruption and cognitive impairment by boosting GLUT1 expression through a specific signaling pathway, suggesting it could be a potential treatment for cocaine-related problems.
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Article Synopsis
  • Cocaine use can lead to serious medical issues, including acute and chronic complications that may cause organ failure, and many overdose deaths occur without the drug being laced with other substances like fentanyl.
  • A case study of a 40-year-old man shows severe symptoms from suspected cocaine use, including hyperthermia and unresponsiveness, requiring aggressive medical intervention and highlighting complications such as rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury.
  • Despite initial concerns about heart issues, it was determined that elevated cardiac troponins were related to cocaine-induced effects rather than coronary artery disease, and a previously discovered brain lesion was monitored without needing immediate surgery.
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Neurological and systemic effects of cocaine toxicity: A case report and review of the literature.

Med Int (Lond)

October 2024

Department of Critical Care Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, Foothills Medical Centre, McCaig Tower, Calgary, AB T2N 5A1, Canada.

Article Synopsis
  • Cocaine, once used as a topical anesthetic and in various tonics, is now commonly abused and linked to serious health complications.
  • The case study focuses on a 23-year-old woman who experienced severe neurological and systemic issues after cocaine use, including coma and multiple organ dysfunction.
  • The study emphasizes the management of her condition, including stabilization, diagnostic strategies, and considerations for prognosis regarding disorders of consciousness.
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Article Synopsis
  • Cocaine use can lead to serious health issues, including strokes and a rare condition called cocaine-induced multiple leukoencephalopathy.
  • An 18-year-old woman, with no prior health issues, experienced this condition after using cocaine and was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone, showing some improvement.
  • Recent findings suggest that levamisole, a common adulterant found in cocaine, may also contribute to the development of multiple leukoencephalopathy.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study looked at poisoning cases in kids under 16 in Mexico from 2016 to 2020.
  • There were 459 cases of poisoning, mostly from venomous animals and medications, and most incidents were accidental.
  • Younger kids were mainly poisoned by household products, while older kids were more affected by stimulant drugs.
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Prenatal and postnatal cocaine exposure enhances the anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in rats: An ontogenetic study.

Int J Dev Neurosci

October 2024

Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Conductual, Microcirugía y Terapéutica Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría, Mexico City, Mexico.

Article Synopsis
  • * Cocaine was administered to pregnant rats, and their male offspring were later tested for anxiety and depressive behaviors at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days old.
  • * Results showed that the negative effects of cocaine exposure on mood-related behaviors increased with age, being most pronounced in older adult rats.
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Recreational Drug Overdose-Clinical Value of Toxicological Analysis.

Toxics

September 2024

Division of Clinical Toxicology, Poison Centre Munich, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.

Article Synopsis
  • A study analyzed 872 patients admitted for acute recreational drug poisoning between 2014 and 2022 to evaluate discrepancies between their self-reported drug use and toxicological tests.
  • The results showed that patients typically underreported the number of substances ingested, with benzodiazepines, Pregabalin, and THC being the most commonly missed drugs, while opiates and opioids were linked to severe outcomes, including cardiopulmonary failure and death.
  • The findings suggest that improvements in understanding clinical management and substance use patterns are needed, as legislation changes have influenced detection rates of certain drugs over time.
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Article Synopsis
  • - Cocaine use can lead to serious heart conditions such as heart attacks and cardiomyopathy, posing significant health risks and burdens on healthcare systems.
  • - Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is essential for identifying and assessing heart damage, allowing for the differentiation between acute and chronic injuries linked to cocaine use.
  • - Early detection through CMR can help reverse damage caused by cocaine, making it a crucial tool for better management of cocaine-related heart issues.
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Article Synopsis
  • Novel psychoactive substances (NPS), specifically benzodiazepines like bromazolam, are becoming increasingly prevalent and pose significant public health risks, especially in combination with opioids.
  • A retrospective study in Travis County, Texas, reported bromazolam in 112 deaths from 2021-2023, with a dramatic increase in related drug toxicities over the period, particularly among young males.
  • The majority of bromazolam-related fatalities involved polydrug use, predominantly with fentanyl, highlighting the dangers of mixing these substances amid the fentanyl epidemic.
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Article Synopsis
  • A study analyzed drug-related fatalities in the UK where individuals were found submerged in baths or hot tubs between 1997 and 2023, identifying case characteristics and drugs involved.* -
  • Of 162 deaths, the majority of victims were middle-aged white males, with an average of three drugs detected in each case; heroin, alcohol, and cocaine were the most common substances.* -
  • The results indicate a consistent annual occurrence of these fatalities, suggesting the need for public health campaigns advising against bathing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.*
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Article Synopsis
  • The opioid epidemic is leading to a rise in cases of children experiencing toxic ingestions, necessitating awareness of potential neurological complications.
  • An eight-year-old boy exhibited symptoms such as somnolence and respiratory depression, which were linked to drug ingestion confirmed through a positive toxicology screen after a few days of hospitalization.
  • Brain imaging revealed signs of opioid-induced leukoencephalopathy, but fortunately, the child fully recovered from his neurological symptoms within five days, highlighting the need for prompt recognition and treatment in similar cases.
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Article Synopsis
  • * The condition arises from changes in blood flow, direct muscle damage, or immune responses, with treatment options including supportive care and potential apheresis therapy, still needing more validation.
  • * A case study of a 52-year-old man with severe complications from cocaine use showed that selective apheresis combined with hemodialysis significantly improved his kidney function and blood parameters after two treatment sessions.
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Article Synopsis
  • Toxic megacolon (TM) is a serious condition marked by extreme dilation of the colon, often linked to inflammatory bowel disease and infections.
  • A unique case study describes a 25-year-old male with a history of recurrent constipation and cocaine use, who developed TM, requiring emergency surgery due to complications like intestinal obstruction and perforation.
  • This case emphasizes the potential dangers of chronic constipation, particularly when combined with substance use, and the need for better understanding and monitoring of such patients’ medical histories.
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Article Synopsis
  • Substance use can lead to serious mental health issues, including temporary and persistent psychosis, especially with substances like cannabis and cocaine that are popular among young people.
  • * Research highlights differences between substance-induced psychosis (SIP) and primary psychotic disorders, noting a significant transition risk from SIP to ongoing psychosis, particularly with cannabis.
  • * Understanding the role of external factors and experiences in psychosis, such as the "twilight state" of consciousness, is crucial for improving diagnostic models and treatments for substance-related mental health issues.*
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Chronic Cocaine Use and Parkinson's Disease: An Interpretative Model.

Int J Environ Res Public Health

August 2024

VP Dole Research Group, G. De Lisio Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Via di Pratale 3, 56121 Pisa, Italy.

Article Synopsis
  • Cocaine use has become a significant public health issue, with roughly 24.6 million users globally and 1 million diagnosed with cocaine use disorder, according to the 2023 World Drug Report.
  • While short-term effects of cocaine are well-documented, there is a lack of comprehensive data on its medium and long-term impacts, which suggest increased risks for cardiovascular issues and neurodegenerative diseases.
  • The paper proposes that chronic cocaine use leads to neurobiological changes affecting neurotransmitter systems, particularly dopaminergic pathways, which may increase vulnerability to neurodegenerative disorders and highlights the need for further research to inform therapeutic interventions.
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Article Synopsis
  • Harm reduction strategies at music festivals aim to improve safety by monitoring drug-related toxicity through the EDNAV project, which gathers drug intelligence from patients at hospitals.
  • Blood samples from festival attendees with severe drug-related issues were analyzed for over 700 substances during the 2022/2023 festival season.
  • The study found 228 cases of drug-related toxicity among 1603 medical encounters, with common drugs detected being MDMA, ketamine, and cocaine, alongside several unreported substances, indicating emerging drug use patterns.
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Article Synopsis
  • The combined use of alcohol and cocaine leads to more significant and unpredictable liver, heart, and brain damage compared to using either substance alone.
  • Research involving marmosets and mice demonstrated that using both substances together caused worse liver injury and inflammation than individual use did.
  • The study identifies hippuric acid as a critical metabolite linked to increased liver damage through inflammation pathways, suggesting that targeting the HA-STING-TNFR1 signaling axis could be a promising treatment for alcohol- and cocaine-related liver injuries.
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A quantitative LC-MS/MS method for investigation of polysubstance use involving heroin and cocaine.

J Pharm Biomed Anal

November 2024

Molecular Modeling and Biopharmaceutical Center, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. Electronic address:

Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers developed a highly accurate testing method to measure these drugs and their breakdown products in blood, adhering to regulatory guidelines.
  • * Results show that using heroin and cocaine together significantly raises the risk of overdose, as heroin slows down cocaine clearance while cocaine boosts heroin metabolism, highlighting the complexities of polydrug use.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study looked at accidental deaths from opioids and stimulants in Québec between 2012 and 2021.
  • Mortality rates from these drugs increased, hitting a high point in 2020 and staying elevated in 2021, with more deaths linked to fentanyl rather than prescription opioids.
  • The findings suggest a need for better drug policies and support systems to help reduce these dangerous drug-related deaths.
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Toxicology of anhydroecgonine methyl ester: A systematic review of a cocaine pyrolysis product.

Toxicol Rep

December 2024

Neurosciences Group of Antioquia, associate professor, Universidad de Antioquia. (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia.

Article Synopsis
  • - AEME, or anhydroecgonine methyl ester, is a key product formed during the smoking of cocaine and has been studied for its toxic effects.
  • - A review of 24 scientific articles indicates AEME is absorbed in the lungs, primarily metabolized by the liver, with a half-life of around one hour, and mostly excreted in urine.
  • - The substance negatively impacts neuronal viability by activating apoptotic pathways when combined with cocaine, and has various harmful effects on bodily functions, including imbalances in antioxidant activity and neurotransmitter systems.
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