Chronic Cocaine Use and White Matter Integrity: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

AbstractBackgroundChronic substance use and its effects on brain function and structure has long been of interest to clinicians and researchers. Prior cross-sectional comparisons of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics have suggested deleterious effects of chronic substance use (i.e., cocaine use) on white matter integrity (WM). However, it is unclear how these effects may replicate with improving DTI technologies to enhance detection of substance use-related WM decrements. In this study, we sought to conduct a replication of previous work in this area and determine whether there are any patterns of persistent differences in WM microstructure between individuals with a history of Cocaine Use Disorder (CocUD, according to DSM-IV) and healthy controls. Method46 participants (21 healthy controls, 25 chronic cocaine users) were recruited from the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area. Information regarding past and current substance use was collected from all participants. Participants also completed structural and DTI scans.ResultsConsistent with previous DTI studies, significant differences between CocUD and controls were found in FA and AD between groups, with CocUD showing lower FA and AD in the right inferior and superior longitudinal fasciculus; the genu, body, and splenium of the corpus callosum; and the anterior, posterior, and superior corona radiata, among several other regions. These differences were not significant for other diffusivity metrics. Lifetime alcohol consumption was greater in the CocUD group, but lifetime alcohol consumption did not show a significant linear relationship with any of the DTI metrics in within-group regression analyses.ConclusionsThese data align with previously reported declines in WM integrity in chronic cocaine users. However, it is less clear whether comorbid alcohol consumption results in an additive deleterious effect on WM microstructure.