Neuropathology of Drug Abuse

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge concerning neuropathologies resulting from drug abuse. The first chapters offer readers detailed information on the neurobiological basics of drug abuse and the results of neuroimaging studies in drug abusers. The focus of the book is on neuropathological findings in drug abusers for the predominant substances, which include cannabis, opiates, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine and a broad spectrum of designer drugs. These findings are supported by histological illustrations and discussed in connection with recent scientific publications. A chapter specifically addressing clinicians is also included, and highlights the implications for further therapy. The book is essential reading for neuropathologists, neurologists, neuroradiologists and psychiatrists, as well as other health professionals and scientists interested and engaged in the problem of drug abuse.

Although a great deal of data has been derived from animal models and from human neuroimaging studies, little is known about the morphological effects of drug abuse on the human brain. In recent years, fundamental drug-induced effects on the cellular elements of the brain have been detected. These alterations might not only be the substrate of the neuroimaging data but might also have implications for clinical research and therapy. In addition, drug abuse may induce premature neurodegeneration.

Professor Dr. Andreas Büttner studied at the Medical School, Ludwig-Maximillians-University, Munich, Germany and received his medical degree in 1994. From 1994-2009, Professor Büttner worked at the neurosurgical clinic, the Institute of Neuropathology and the Institute of Legal Medicine at the Ludwigs-Maximillians-University, Munich, Germany. He qualified as a professor in 2004.  Since 2009, he is director and chair of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Rostock, Germany.  Since 2010 he is Chairman of the Ethical Commission at the Rostock University Medical Center, Germany. Since 2013 he is member of the expert advisory board of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices at the German Federal Ministry of Health.

Professor Büttner is an international expert in the field of forensic neuropathology. His research focus lies on forensic neuropathology and genetic-neurobiologic aspects of illegal drug abuse and he has published more than 160 scientific publications in this field. He gave more than 130 oral presentations nationally and internationally and is a member of the International Society of Neuropathology and the German Society of Legal Medicine and German Society of Neuropathology and Neuroanatomy.