Functional magnetic resonance and spectroscopy in drug and substance abuse.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) were utilized to evaluate functional and metabolic brain changes in drug abusers. Functional neuroimaging studies in alcohol, cocaine, cigarette, and cannabis abusers were reviewed in the medical literature from 2000 to 2005. Brain activation with functional magnetic resonance imaging is different in drug abusers and may show more or less activation according to the task and gender. Lower concentrations of N-acetylaspartate and higher creatine are usually seen with 1H-MRS in the brains of cigarette smokers, people who are cocaine dependent, and alcohol abusers. Neural substrates of drug addition, craving, drug interaction, individual abstinence, and drug withdrawal can be studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.