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Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 2/2013

01-02-2013 | STROKE (HP ADAMS JR, SECTION EDITOR)

Drug Abuse and Stroke

Authors: Ana Catarina Fonseca, José M. Ferro

Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports | Issue 2/2013

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Abstract

Cerebrovascular disorders contribute to the morbidity and disability associated with illicit drug use. Drug abusers have an increased risk of both hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. In geographic areas with a high prevalence of illicit drug use, drug abuse is a frequent cause of stroke in the young adult. The illicit drugs more commonly associated with stroke are psychomotor stimulants, such as amphetamine and cocaine. Less commonly implicated are opioids and psychotomimetic drugs, including cannabis. Toxicology screening for illicit drugs should be done in young patients with stroke with no obvious cause, or if suggested by history or examination. Although in some patients the mechanism of stroke is identified using neuroimaging and other modern diagnostic tools, in a sizeable fraction of cases the mechanism of stroke remains unclear. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of hemodynamic and immunologic mechanisms in these cases.
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Metadata
Title
Drug Abuse and Stroke
Authors
Ana Catarina Fonseca
José M. Ferro
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 1528-4042
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6293
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-012-0325-0

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