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The cardiovascular effects of cocaine use in pregnancy

1991; Elsevier BV; Volume: 5; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0890-6238(91)90038-h

1873-1708

Mark A. Plessinger, James R. Woods,

Stress Responses and Cortisol

Cocaine stimulates the release of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and gonadal hormones in men and women, in nonhuman primates, and in rodents. Repeated activation of the HPA axis and the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis by cocaine can interfere with the complex feedback regulation of these systems and profoundly disrupt reproductive function. Moreover, stimulation of HPA- and HPG-axis hormones may modulate cocaine's behavioral and reinforcing effects under some conditions. Sex and menstrual/estrous cycle phase each appear to influence the abuse-related effects of cocaine. This chapter examines the reciprocal interactions between the acute and chronic effects of cocaine, HPA- and HPG-axis hormones, and cocaine-related behaviors. An increased understanding of neurobiology of cocaine and its interactions with sex and neuroactive hormones may lead to new approaches to treatment of cocaine abuse.