The effects of cocaine and the amphetamines on brain and behavior: a conference report

A Chicago City-Wide Mini-Conference on Cocaine and the Amphetamines was held on the 13 May 1996 at Loyola University Chicago. The purpose of the one day symposium was to facilitate the dissemination of recent research findings of investigators in the Chicago area working in drug abuse research. The speakers discussed recent concepts relating to the consequences of the amphetamines and cocaine on different biologic processes including the development of neuronal pathways, adaptational responses to chronic administration and neurotoxicity. Some of the specific areas discussed were: (a) psychostimulant-induced effects on brain serotonin and dopamine systems, (b) amphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, (c) the long-term consequences of prenatal exposure to cocaine, (d) effects of cocaine withdrawal on hormone responses, and (e) mechanisms underlying drug-taking behavior and dependence. The potential clinical consequences of the research findings and how they impact on medications-development and community efforts in dealing with the problems of drug abuse were also discussed. Progress on these issues, which was presented at the First Annual Follow-Up Meeting, held on the 17 July 1997, are also included in this report.