Recent EEG and ERP Findings in Substance Abusers

Abstract

Research on electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of substance use has a long history. The present paper provides a review of recent studies −2001 to the present—with a focus on EEG findings in human participants characterized by a history of chronic substance use, abuse or dependence. In some areas (e.g., alcohol and cocaine dependence), the field has attempted to build upon earlier work by incorporating different methodologies or pursuing research questions of a transdisciplinary nature. New areas of inquiry, such as the investigation of EEG differences among users of ecstasy (MDMA) and methamphetamine, have emerged, primarily as a result of an alarming rise in popularity of these drugs.