STUDY: Cocaine addiction PERMANENTLY alters brain function

[Bluebear]

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A number of studies presented at the 36th annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, being held this week in Atlanta, show that cocaine use negatively affects the functioning of neurons (cells located in the brain and spinal cord), primarily in the prefrontal cortex, but also in a number of other areas in the brain.

The result is a reduced ability to weigh benefits versus drawbacks, and to control behavior...

"Although there is some improvement in function (in the prefrontal cortex) once the drug is removed, it never completely returns to normal," Goldstein said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061018/hl_nm/cocaine_control_dc

[Richard Steele]

1. That's the best marriage of story and photo since...

[Kiouni]

6. LOL!!

thats priceless

[jmowreader]

2. Does it also affect the areas that control balance?

That would explain things like his falling off bicycles, falling off Segways, his inability to eat pretzels...

[Kutjara]

3. And just think if the brain was abnormal to begin with.

This explains much.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

8. I think you mean Abby Normal... n/t

[Swamp Rat]

4. *snif snif!*

[Philosoraptor]

5. speed kills. half a million in Iraq so far.

[Kiouni]

7. love the picture

i think he will make the same face in Novemeber!

[SalmonChantedEvening]

9. All Hail Pretzeldent Nostrildamnus!!

:eyes:

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Well that certainly explains things!

[Bluebear]

11. Precisely!

:hi:

[malaise]

12. LOL

Getting up off the floor - a classic :D

[helderheid]

13. oh GOD that picture!!!