Researchers from Edinburgh University led by neuropathology professor Jeanne Bell found that young injection-drug users were up to three times more likely to suffer brain damage than nonusers.

"Damaged nerve cells were identified in the key areas of the brain involved in learning, memory and emotional well-being," said Bell. "We found that the brains of these young drug abusers showed significantly higher levels of two key proteins associated with brain damage. In a previous study we found that drug abuse causes low-grade inflammation in the brain. Taken together, the two studies suggest that intravenous opiate abuse may be linked to premature aging of the brain."

Scientists reached their conclusions after examining the brains of 34 deceased young drug addicts with no history of HIV or head injuries and comparing them to the brains of 16 control subjects.

The research was published in the journal Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology.

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