neuropharmacology: inhalants

Inhalants

Brian J. Piper, Ph.D.

Commonly Abused Products• Gases– Nitrous oxide, helium, refrigerants, propane

• Cleaning Agents– Spot remover, degreaser

• Solvents and Fuels– Butane propane, nail polish remover, paint

thinner/remover, correction fluid, permanent markers, gasoline, engine octane boosters

Commonly Abused Products• Aerosols– Spray paint, hair spray, air freshener, deodorant, fabric

protector

• Adhesives– Model airplane glue, rubber cement, PVC cement

• Foods– Cooking spray, aerosol whipped cream toppings

MtF: Epidemiology

MtF: Epidemiology

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome

Functional Resiliency• MRI & neurobehavioral tests

of adolescent toluene and polysubstance abusers (N=50/group)

Rosenberg et al. (2002). Clinical Toxicology, 40, 21-34.

White matter hyperintensities

Functional Resiliency• MRI & neurobehavioral tests

of adolescent toluene and controls (N=50/group)

Rosenberg et al. (2002). Clinical Toxicology, 40, 21-34.

Neurobehavioral TestsTest Use(s)

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Schizophrenia/Alzheimer’s (Frontal lobe)

Continuous Performance Test ADHD

Tower of London Alzheimer’s

Trail Making Test Alzheimer’s

Novel Places & Faces ?

Concluding Thoughts

• Beyond dichotomies• Pharmacokinetics• Pharmacodynamics• Neurobehavioral Methods