Recovery from Central Nervous System Changes Following Volatile Substance Misuse

Abstract

This review examines cognitive, neurological, and neuroanatomical recovery associated with abstinence from volatile substance misuse (VSM). Articles describing functional or structural brain changes longitudinally or cross-sectional reports comparing current and abstinent users were identified and reviewed. A significant lack of empirical studies investigating central nervous system recovery following VSM was noted. The few case reports and group studies identified indicated that cognitive and neurological impairments appear to follow a progression of decline and progression of recovery model, with the severity of impairment related to the duration and severity of misuse, blood lead levels among leaded petrol misusers, and the duration of abstinence for recovery. By contrast, severe neurological impairment known as lead encephalopathy from sniffing leaded petrol occurred as more catastrophic or abrupt damage to cerebellar processes that may never fully recover. Neuroanatomical damage may not recover even with prolonged abstinence.

Keywords :

• solvents
• inhalants
• cognitive
• neurological
• recovery
• residual impairments

THE AUTHORS

Kylie M. Dingwall, Ph.D., has just completed her Ph.D. with Menzies School of Health Research in Alice Springs, Australia. Her research has involved investigating the neuropsychological consequences of petrol sniffing and other substance misuse for Indigenous Australians and validating appropriate tools for the neuropsychological assessment of Indigenous people. Kylie completed her undergraduate and honors degree in psychology in Queensland before moving to the Northern Territory. She has lived and worked in Alice Springs for five years and has a strong interest in improving Indigenous mental health and well-being.

Sheree Cairney, Ph.D., is a cognitive neuroscientist working in Aboriginal health. For over 10 years, she has investigated the measurement of brain dysfunction arising from substance misuse, including petrol sniffing, cannabis, kava, and alcohol among Aboriginal Australians living in the remote regions in the Northern Territory. Currently, she is investigating the utility of translating the outcomes of this and other research into practice to improve Indigenous health across Australia.