Carbamazepine and cocaine-cue reactivity

Drug Alcohol Depend. 1995 Oct;39(3):213-21. doi: 10.1016/0376-8716(95)01165-3.

Abstract

Subjective and electroencephalographic reactions to cocaine cues were evaluated in 33 cocaine-dependent out-patients and 17 non-cocaine-dependent controls. Subjective, EEG, and autonomic reactions to three 5-min videos (cocaine-associated, erotic, neutral) were evaluated twice with an interpolated 1-week interval. Between evaluations, cocaine-dependent patients received carbamazepine 400 mg daily or matching placebo in double-blind fashion. In all three groups the cocaine-associated and erotic videos produced a comparable increase in the self-rated desire for cocaine and reduction in total EG power. Carbamazepine treatment increased EEG fast alpha power and self-rated fatigue, and decreased self-rated concentration and vigor. However, it had no specific effect on subjective or physiological reactivity to either the cocaine-associated or erotic videos. This negative finding is consistent with recent clinical trials of carbamazepine for cocaine dependence.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / administration & dosage*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / adverse effects
  • Arousal / drug effects*
  • Carbamazepine / administration & dosage*
  • Carbamazepine / adverse effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cocaine*
  • Cues*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / psychology
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / rehabilitation
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / rehabilitation*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Carbamazepine
  • Cocaine