Researchers have shown that a cocaine addiction is linked to areas affecting memory and attention. The study used brain scans and tested addicts for impulsive and compulsive behavior and contrasted their results with health participants.

The research has given more insight as to why some people are more vulnerable to drug addictions as well. Cambridge neuroscientist, Dr. Karen Ershe explains what the study suggests “Now only is this important for the future development of more effective therapeutic interventions for people who have become dependent on drugs, it will also inform improved strategies to prevent drug addiction in the first place”.

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is capable of having a heavily impact on the brain. Recent studies have suggested that there are some people who are more susceptible to a cocaine addiction than other. The brain scans found that those with greatly reduced grey matter in their brains were linked to how long they used cocaine. The least amount of grey matter mean there was an increased compulsion for the drug.