E-Paper
Dope hits kids? brain harder
A new research published by Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology has shown that young drug abusers are up to three times more likely to suffer brain damage than those who don't use drugs.
A new research published by Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology has shown that young drug abusers are up to three times more likely to suffer brain damage than those who don't use drugs.
The brains of 34 intravenous drug abusers, who had mainly used heroin and methadone, were examined after death and compared with 16 young people who had not used drugs. This revealed that the drug abusers sustained a level of brain damage normally only seen in much older people and similar to the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
"Our study shows evidence of an increased risk of brain damage associated with heroin and methadone use, which may be highest in the young, when individuals are most likely to acquire the habit," said co-author Jeanne Bell, professor of Neuropathology at the University of Edinburgh. Damaged nerve cells were identified in the key areas of the brain involved in learning, memory and emotional well-being.
