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Review
. 2020 Nov;38(4):983-996.
doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2020.08.005.

Neurotoxicology Syndromes Associated with Drugs of Abuse

Rachel A Caplan  1 , Jonah P Zuflacht  2 , Jed A Barash  3 , Corey R Fehnel  4
Affiliations
Review

Neurotoxicology Syndromes Associated with Drugs of Abuse

Rachel A Caplan et al. Neurol Clin. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Substance use disorders-and their associated neurologic complications-are frequently encountered by neurologists as well as emergency room physicians, internists, psychiatrists, and medical intensivists. Prominent neurologic sequelae of drug abuse, such as seizure and stroke, are common and often result in patients receiving medical attention. However, less overt neurologic manifestations, such as dysautonomia and perceptual disturbances, may be initially misattributed to primary medical or psychiatric illness, respectively. This article focuses on the epidemiology, pharmacology, and complications associated with commonly used recreational drugs, including opioids, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and hallucinogens.

Keywords: Cocaine; Ethanol; Hallucinogens; Marijuana; Methamphetamine; Neurotoxicology; Opioids; Psychostimulants.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors have no commercial or financial conflicts of interest nor funding to disclose.

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