Everyone knows that drug use can cause serious health damage, not to mention addictive. The cocaine is a highly addictive these drugs and harmful to our health. This drug enhances the effects of nerve stimulation, ie cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant. Use of the drug may lead to increased excitability, anxiety, blood pressure and even hallucinations.
However, researchers release images of a patient’s exams to demonstrate how the impacts of excessive cocaine use can affect the human brain. In magnetic resonance images, the disappearance of an area of the brain, which houses the set of cells responsible for managing essential functions for the activities of neurons, is evident. The case happened on the island of Malta in southern Europe. This patient was able to reverse the condition, stopping substance use and appropriate treatment. However, the effect of the drug remains very risky for our brain.
The exams
Magnetic resonance imaging of a 45-year-old patient revealed a rare case. The man almost completely disappeared from a relevant area of the brain.
According to the doctor, Ylenia Andila, who attended the patient, the man arrived at the hospital presenting a case of mental confusion. Over time, the symptoms only got worse and the man lost his ability to communicate and became catatonic.
Since the first blood tests revealed no possible disease, then doctors went for an MRI scan on the patient’s brain. Which turned out to be something totally unexpected.
With the results of the examination in hand, the doctors were shocked to note that the “white matter” had almost completely disappeared from the patient’s brain. This white matter corresponds to the region of the brain that houses the set of cells responsible for the nutrition of neurons. That is, this is an essential part of our brain, without it we lose some cognitive abilities.
Cocaine use
Thanks to MRI scans, doctors diagnosed leukoencephalopathy in the patient. Leukoencephalopathy is a condition of inflammation and progressive loss of white matter in the brain. Until they received the results of the patient’s urine test, the doctors did not know what had caused the condition. Urinalysis revealed a high rate of cocaine in his body, which was soon related to damage to the brain region of man.
Experts say that cases of leukoencephalopathy due to overuse of the drug are very rare, but have been reported in the medical literature. Earlier studies had suggested that the chemical characteristics of cocaine could affect the brain’s insulating layer responsible for neural bonds.
The patient received specific treatment to reduce his inflammation, as well as medicines to strengthen his immune system. Thanks to the treatment, there was a progressive recovery of white matter in his brain. According to the doctor responsible for the case, the man still went through a period in rehab to treat his addiction. One year after that, the symptoms of mental impairment disappeared.
