Does heavy drug use destroy the prefrontal cortex?

It depends on which drug or drugs used, and how much. Different drugs damage different parts of the brain and body. An article by Prof. David Nutt, a leading neuroscientist, shows the relative harm done by various common drugs. read more

"Exposure to amphetamines also is correlated with numerous long-term neuropsychological impairments which are associated with the persistent and significant DA and 5HT terminal damage seen in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus after drug exposure. read more

A: Consistent with the compulsive and chronically relapsing nature of drug addiction, our findings may help explain why efforts to control addiction through reinforcement can be compromised. read more