Nissan Data Scan 1 63 Crack Cocaine

Nissan Data Scan 1 63 Crack Cocaine Rating: 8,1/10 3755 reviews

Oct 11, 2011  This video shows the use of Nissan DataScan II software to program new transponder keys. Most new Nissan cars have a build in immobiliser and any new keys have to. Nissan DataScan II is a program intended for Nissan cars equipped with gray 16 pin OBDII connecter and that use Consult II protocol over K line (DDL2). You may want to check out more software, such as Nissan Data Scan, E2Lab - Eternity II Puzzle Editor And Solver or Nissan Data Voice, which might be related to Nissan DataScan II.

Synapse. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2012 Dec 1.
Published in final edited form as:
doi: 10.1002/syn.20970
NIHMSID: NIHMS396968
See other articles in PMC that cite the published article.

Abstract

Objective

PET studies performed with [11C]raclopride have consistently reported lower binding to D2/3 receptors and lower amphetamine-induced dopamine release in cocaine abusers relative to healthy controls. A limitation of these studies that were performed with D2/3 antagonist radiotracers such as [11C]raclopride is the failure to provide information that is specific to D2/3 receptors configured in a state of high affinity for the agonists (i.e., D2/3 receptors coupled to G- proteins, D2/3 HIGH). As the endogenous agonist dopamine binds with preference to D2/3 HIGH relative to D2/3 LOW receptors (i.e., D2/3 receptors uncoupled to G-proteins) it is critical to understand the in vivo status of D2/3 HIGH receptors in cocaine dependence. Thus, we measured the available fraction of D2/3 HIGH receptors in 10 recently abstinent cocaine abusers (CD) and matched healthy controls (HC) with the D2/3 antagonist and agonist PET radiotracers [11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA

Methods

[11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA binding potential (BPND) in the striatum were measured with kinetic analysis using the arterial input function. The available fraction of D2/3 HIGH receptors, i.e., % RHIGH available=D2/3 HIGH/(D2/3 HIGH + D2/3 LOW) was then computed as the ratio of [11C]NPA BPND/[11C]raclopride BPND.

Results

No differences in striatal [11C]NPA BPND (HC = 1.00 ± 0.17; CD = 0.97 ± 0.17, p =0.67) or available % RHIGH (HC= 39% ± 5%; CD = 41% ± 5%, p = 0.50) was observed between cocaine abusers and matched controls

Conclusions

The results of this [11C]NPA PET study do not support alterations in D2/3 HIGH binding in the striatum in cocaine dependence.

Keywords: [11C]N-propyl-norapomorphine (NPA), [11C]raclopride, cocaine dependence, Positron emission tomography (PET)

INTRODUCTION

Previous imaging studies using endogenous competition techniques and PET have unequivocally demonstrated that the amphetamine (or methylphenidate)-induced displacement of [11C]raclopride binding in the striatum is significantly less (or blunted) in cocaine abusers than healthy controls (; ). A fundamental question unanswered by the previous imaging studies is whether the blunted displacement of [11C]raclopride following amphetamine in cocaine abusers is caused by pre-synaptic (i.e., less dopamine) or post-synaptic (i.e., lesser affinity of D2/3 receptors for dopamine) factors. A possible explanation for the decreased occupancy of D2/3 receptors by dopamine in chronic cocaine abusers is a reduced activity of dopaminergic neurons following amphetamine exposure. This interpretation is supported by a previous [18F]-6-L-fluorodopa imaging study reporting decreased availability of the dopamine synthesis enzyme DOPA decarboxylase in patients with cocaine abuse relative to controls (). An alternative explanation for the same phenomenon is that the presynaptic dopamine release is essentially normal, but the affinity of D2/3 receptors for dopamine is decreased in chronic cocaine users. In this scenario, relatively normal or even exaggerated release of dopamine following amphetamine in cocaine dependence would be associated with decreased occupancy of D2/3 receptors by dopamine. The available imaging data do not distinguish between pre- and post-synaptic factors, and it is also conceivable that both factors might play a role. This issue is important to the understanding of dopamine transmission abnormalities in cocaine dependence.

As D2/3 receptors are configured in inter-convertible states of high or low affinity for agonists, the affinity of a pool of D2/3 receptors for dopamine will depend not only on the affinity of the high (KHIGH) and low (KLOW) configuration sites, but also on the respective proportion of sites present in high and low configuration. If we assume that the total number of sites in the D2/3 HIGH and D2/3 LOW configurations are RHIGH and RLOW, then RHIGH + RLOW = BMAX, where BMAX is the total number of D2/3 receptors. Under this scenario, the binding potential (BP) of a population of D2/3 receptors for a given antagonist radiotracer such as [11C]raclopride is BPANTAGONIST =BPHIGH + BPLOW = RHIGH/KHIGH + RLOW/KLOW because antagonists do not distinguish between the D2 HIGH and D2 LOW configurations. In contrast the BP for an agonist such as dopamine is BPAGONIST = BPHIGH= RHIGH/KHIGH. Therefore a decrease in the proportion of sites configured in the high-affinity state (% RHIGH) in cocaine dependence would result in a smaller BP for dopamine and lead to a blunted response to amphetamine. To investigate this hypothesis that a lower % RHIGH (=BPAGONIST/BPANTAGONIST) for dopamine contributes to the blunted displacement of [11C]raclopride after amphetamine in cocaine dependence, we measured D2/3 antagonist and D2/3 agonist BP in cocaine abusers and matched controls with the PET radiotracers [11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human Subjects

Twenty subjects were enrolled in this study who were either cocaine dependent (n=10) or healthy comparison (n=10) subjects. The study was conducted under the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Review Board. All subjects provided written informed consent. Cocaine abusers were recruited through flyers displayed at local community centers, buses, and addiction medicine clinics. Study criteria for cocaine abusers were [1] males or females between 18 and 50 years old, of all ethnic and racial origins; [2] fulfill DSM-IV criteria for cocaine dependence as assessed by SCID; [3] a positive urine screen for cocaine; [4] no DSM IV Axis I disorder other than cocaine abuse or dependence including abuse or dependence to alcohol or other drugs (nicotine dependence was allowed); [5] no current (as confirmed by urine drug screen at screening) use of opiates, cannabis, sedative-hypnotics, amphetamines, MDMA, and PCP [6] not currently on any prescription or over the counter medications; [7] no current or past severe medical or neurological illnesses (including glaucoma, seizure disorders) as assessed by a complete medical history and physical; [8] not currently pregnant; [9] no history of significant radioactivity exposure (nuclear medicine studies or occupational exposure); [10] no metallic objects in the body that are contraindicated for MRI. All eligible cocaine dependent subjects completed a minimum of twelve days of outpatient abstinence monitored with witnessed urine toxicology (all subjects underwent urine drug screens for cocaine and other recreational drugs three times/week for two consecutive weeks). Following the twelve-day outpatient abstinence period subjects were admitted to an inpatient research unit for two days prior to the PET scan. This combined outpatient and inpatient monitoring protocol ensured that all subjects were abstinent for a minimum of two weeks prior to the PET scan. Healthy control subjects with no past or present neurological or psychiatric illnesses including substance abuse (confirmed by urine drug screen both at screening and the day of the PET scan) underwent the PET scan as outpatients.

Imaging methods

MRI acquisition

Prior to PET imaging, a spoiled gradient recalled sequence (SPGR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was obtained using a GE Signa 1.5 Tesla scanner for determination of regions of interest as previously described (; )

PET acquisition

[11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA were synthesized using the methodology reported previously (; ). PET imaging sessions were conducted with the ECAT EXACT HR+ camera. The [11C]raclopride PET scan was always followed by the [11C]NPA PET scan in both patients and controls. Following a 10 minute transmission scan, [11C]raclopride or [11C]NPA was injected intravenously over a 45 second period and emission data were collected in the 3D mode for 60 minutes consistent with previous studies for these radiotracers in humans (; ). Also, consistent with previous evaluations the maximum injected mass for [11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA were restricted to 6 μg and 2 μg (; ) to be at tracer dose, i.e., less than 5% receptor occupancy.

Input function measurement

Following radiotracer injection, arterial samples were collected manually approximately every 6s for the first two min and thereafter at longer intervals. A total of 35 samples were obtained per scan. Following centrifugation, plasma was collected in 200 μL aliquots and activities were counted in a gamma counter. To determine the plasma activity representing unmetabolized parent compound for [11C]raclopride (collected at 8, 12, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min) and [11C]NPA (collected at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 40, 50) seven samples were further processed using high performance liquid chromatogram methods described previously for both the radiotracers (; ). For [11C]raclopride, the seven measured parent fractions were fitted using a sum of two exponentials (). For [11C]NPA the parent fractions were fitted to a Hill Plot model (). The input function was then calculated as the product of total counts and interpolated parent fraction at each time point. The measured input function values were fitted to a sum of three exponentials from the time of peak plasma activity and the fitted values were used as the input to the kinetic analysis. The clearance of the parent compound (CL expressed in liter/hour) was calculated as the ratio of the injected dose to the area under the curve of the input function (). The determination of the plasma free fraction (fP) for both [11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA were performed using ultrafiltration units ().

Image analysis

All region drawing and image analysis was performed blind to the subject diagnosis with MEDx (Sensor Systems, Inc., Sterling, Virginia) and SPM2 (Statistical parametric mapping). The primary region of interest (ROI), the striatum was divided into five anatomical ROIs and three functional subdivisions using published criteria (). The three functional subdivisions of the striatum include the limbic striatum, LST (includes the ventral striatum VST), the associative striatum, AST (includes the precommisural caudate preDCA, precommisural putamen preDPU and postcommisural caudate postCA) and sensorimotor striatum, SMST (included the postcommisural putamen, postPU). The cerebellum was used as a reference region for both radiotracers (). Correction for head movement and co-registration of the PET data to the MR were done using previously described methods ().

Outcome measures

In this section we describe outcome variables using the consensus nomenclature for in vivo imaging of reversibly binding radioligands (). Baseline D2/3 receptor availability for the antagonist and agonist radiotracers, [11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA were estimated using the PET outcome measure BPND, i.e., binding potential relative to non-displaceable uptake. As the concentration of D2/3 receptors in the cerebellum is relatively low compared to the striatum, we assumed that the VT in the cerebellum (VT CER) is largely representative of the free and nonspecifically bound radiotracer. In other words, we assumed that VT CER is equal to the non-displaceable distribution volume (VND).

[11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA regional distribution volumes (VT, mL of plasma/cm3 of tissue) were derived with kinetic analysis and the arterial input function. A one and two-tissue compartment model was used to describe the kinetics in the cerebellum and striatal subdivisions for [11C]raclopride (). A two-tissue compartment model described the kinetics in both the cerebellum and striatal subdivisions for [11C]NPA (). Following, which the [11C]raclopride or [11C]NPA BPND was derived using the formula

Eq. 1

The primary outcome measure for the study, which was computed as the ratio of [11C]NPA BPND to [11C]raclopride BPND in cocaine abusers and healthy controls provided an estimate of the fraction of the D2HIGH sites not occupied by dopamine at baseline (or available for endogenous competition), that is

%RHIGHavailable=D2/3HIGHD2/3HIGH+D2/3LOW=[C11]NPABPND[C11]racloprideBPND

Statistical analysis

Group differences in baseline scan parameters (such as injected dose, mass, plasma clearance, VND) and dependent variables ([11C]raclopride BPND, [11C]NPA BPND and [11C]NPA/[11C]raclopride ratio) were performed with unpaired t tests. A probability value of 0.05 was selected as significance level for all analyses.

RESULTS

Ten cocaine dependent subjects (3 women and 7 men, mean age 44 ± 8 years) and 10 healthy comparison subjects (3 women and 7 men, mean age 42 ± 8 years) were enrolled in this study. All twenty individuals completed the [11C]raclopride scan, but only 9/10 individuals in both the patient and control groups completed the [11C]NPA scans (n=1 radiochemistry failure; n=1 dropped out because of back spasms). Subjects were matched on smoking status (5 smokers/group) and ethnicity (cocaine abusers: 7 African American and 3 Caucasian; healthy controls: 4 African American and 6 Caucasian) as best as possible. The cocaine abusers reported smoking crack cocaine on average of 17 ± 8 years and were spending $728 ± 650 weekly.

Scan parameters

Critical PET scan parameters are listed in Table 1(n=10 subjects/group for [11C]raclopride and n=9 subjects/group for [11C]NPA). The mean injected dose, specific activity at time of injection, and injected mass did not differ between the cocaine dependent and healthy comparison groups for both [11C]raclopirde and [11C]NPA. In addition, no significant between-group differences were observed in [11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA rate of clearance from the plasma compartment, or cerebellum distribution volume (VND)

G G Alvarez

Table 1

[11C]raclopride scans (n=10/group)[11C]NPA scans (n=9/group)
Scan ParameterControlsCocaine abusersControlsCocaine abusers
Injected dose (mCi)10.3 ± 0.910.5 ± 0.39.8 ± 1.410.3 ± 1.0
Specific activity (Ci/mmoles)2139 ± 6012063 ± 4082416 ± 8752724 ± 1220
Injected Mass (μg)1.9 ± 0.91.9 ± 0.51.3 ± 0.41.3 ± 0.4
Plasma Free Fraction (fP, %)11± 212 ± 310 ± 212 ± 3
Clearance (L/h)22.8 ± 6.323.0 ± 5.9139.2 ± 41.9113.4 ± 29.4
Cerebellum VND (mL cm−3)0.43 ± 0.060.45 ± 0.073.35 ± 0.873.50 ± 0.92

Comparisons between controls and cocaine abusers for both scan parameters all p > 0.05, two-tailed, unpaired t-test

Regional volumes

No significant between-group differences were found in ROI or reference region volumes (Table 2) suggesting lack of measurable volumetric changes in the human striatum after chronic cocaine abuse.

Bioinformatics

Table 2

Functional subdivisionAnatomical subdivisionControlsCocaine abusersp-value
LSTVST1786 ± 2871729 ± 3150.68
AST7543 ± 5857580 ± 6780.90
Pre-DCA3333 ± 4043534 ± 4250.29
Post-CA2019 ± 2901916 ± 5010.58
Pre-DPU2192 ± 4172130 ± 5050.77
SMSTPost-PU4825 ± 9544894 ± 5580.85
Striatum14155 ± 144014203 ± 8450.93

LST-limbic striatum; AST-associative striatum; SMST-sensorimotor striatum; STR-Striatum; VST-ventral striatum; pre-DCA-precommisural caudate; post-CA postcommisural caudate; pre-DPU-precommisural putamen; post-PU-postcommisural putamen

D2/3 receptor binding potential as measured using [11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA

The results of [11C]raclopride BPND and [11C]NPA BPND in cocaine abusers in the striatal subdivisions relative to healthy controls are shown in Table 3. Also shown in Table 3 are the the effect sizes (d) for between group difference for [11C]raclopride BPND and [11C]NPA BPND in the striatal subdivisions.

Table 3

Regional [11C]raclopride and [11C]NPA binding potential (BPND)in healthy controls and chronic cocaine abusers

Striatal subdivision[11C]raclopride scans (n =10/group)[11C]NPA scans (n=9/group)
FunctionalAnatomicalControlsCocaine abusersEffect sizeControlsCocaine abusersEffect size
LSTVST2.38 ± 0.262.24 ± 0.290.531.02 ± 0.161.01 ± 0.190.07
AST2.36 ± 0.212.14 ± 0.23 *1.060.86 ± 0.160.81 ± 0.160.35
Pre-DCA2.38 ± 0.202.12 ± 0.25 *1.220.85 ± 0.160.77 ± 0.180.47
Post-CA1.76 ± 0.221.63 ± 0.320.510.59 ± 0.170.57 ± 0.190.12
Pre-DPU2.86 ± 0.232.62 ± 0.23 *1.131.14 ± 0.201.05 ± 0.190.47
SMSTPost-PU3.02 ± 0.262.81 ± 0.350.691.22 ± 0.181.21 ± 0.190.06
Striatum2.58 ± 0.212.39 ± 0.26 0.861.00 ± 0.170.97 ± 0.170.22

LST-limbic striatum; AST-associative striatum; SMST-sensorimotor striatum; STR-Striatum; VST-ventral striatum; pre-DCA-precommisural caudate; post-CA postcommisural caudate; pre-DPU-precommisural putamen; post-PU-postcommisural putamen

p < 0.1 on two-tailed, unpaired t-tests;

Effect size is Cohen’s d derived using pooled standard deviation for two independent samples

Bioinformatics

Fraction of D2/3 high receptors available (% RHIGH available)

No between-group differences were observed for the available % RHIGH in the striatal subdivisions (Figure 1).

Shows no significant difference between controls (white bars) and cocaine abusers (black bars) in the available fraction of D2/3 high receptors (% RHIGH) in the striatal subdivisions.

DISCUSSION

Previous PET studies performed with the D2/3 antagonist radiotracers [11C]raclopride and [18F]NMSP have consistently reported decreased D2/3 receptor availability in the striatum of cocaine abusers (11–38%) which persisted following abstinence (; ; ; ; ). The [11C]raclopride results of this study were consistent with these previous data in suggesting both trend level and significant decreases in the subdivisions of the striatum in cocaine abusers relative to healthy controls (Table 3). Thus, the overall data on this topic are in agreement that there is less D2/3 antagonist (D2/3 HIGH and D2/3 LOW) binding in cocaine abusers relative to healthy comparison subjects. No previous in vitro postmortem or in vivo imaging studies have investigated and reported on the availability of the physiologically more relevant D2/3 agonist binding (as D2/3 HIGH, and not D2 LOW are the sites accessed by dopamine) in cocaine dependent humans. We were interested in this particular issue for two reasons (1) it was critical to understand whether the blunted displacement of [11C]raclopride after amphetamine in cocaine dependence can be attributed to post-synaptic factors, i.e., a lower fraction of D2/3 receptors configured in a state of high affinity for the agonists and (2) previous reports in rodents suggest that chronic exposure to psychostimulant drugs such as cocaine and amphetamine lead to a higher (~ 150%), not lower fraction of D2/3 HIGH receptors (; ; ; ), which was contradictory to our predicted hypothesis. Thus, in this human imaging study, we investigated both the D2/3 antagonist and D2/3 agonist binding potential in a group of subjects who regularly abused cocaine for nearly two decades and found neither an increase nor a decrease in the available % RHIGH relative to healthy comparison subjects. This particular observation was a consequence of the lack of difference in D2/3 agonist BPND rather than D2/3 antagonist BPND as shown in Table 3. Furthermore, as the effect size for [11C]NPA in the striatal subdivisions was relatively small (0.06 to 0.47; Table 3), we found no reason to continue with the study. For example, at the observed effect size of 0.86 in the striatum for [11C]raclopride, the study would have required a sample size of 22 subjects/group to detect a significant difference between cocaine abusers and controls (p < 0.05; power 0.8). In contrast, at the observed effect size of only 0.22 in the striatum for [11C]NPA, the same clinical study would have required us to recruit and scan 325 subjects/group to detect a between-group difference.

One reason for the failure to observe an increase in the available % R HIGH in chronic cocaine exposed humans may be related to the differences in baseline dopamine levels between the control and cocaine groups that impact the in vivo PET measures in humans but not necessarily the in vitro binding measures in rodents (). Nevertheless, a more likely explanation is that chronic cocaine exposure leads to paradoxical changes in dopamine transmission and associated parameters (such as D2/3 receptors, D2/3 HIGH receptors, dopamine transporters, vesicular monoamine transporter, type 2, etc.,) in rodents and humans for unclear reasons as reviewed in (). Future [11C]NPA PET studies following the depletion of synaptic dopamine with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT) in cocaine abusers and micro-PET studies in rodents exposed to chronic cocaine are necessary to clarify these issues. Another factor that needs to be considered in the interpretation of the available % RHIGH that was arrived at via comparison of the agonist [11C]NPA and antagonist [11C]raclopride in this study is the difference in D3/D2 affinity ratio between these radiotracers. For example, a decrease or increase in D3 receptor availability in cocaine dependent patients compared to controls may have masked an abnormally higher or lower % RHIGH as [11C]NPA demonstrates modest preference for D3 over D2 receptors compared to [11C]raclopride (). Future studies with the D3-receptor preferring agonist radiotracer [11C]PHNO and a selective D3 antagonist drug in cocaine dependence are necessary to investigate this issue (). Finally, recent PET imaging studies with both D2/3 antagonist (such as [11C]raclopride and [11C]FLB 457) and agonist radiotracers (such as [11C]NPA and [11C]PHNO) suggest a small but significant fraction of D2/3 specific binding in the cerebellum (; ; ; ; ), the region that is typically used as an estimate of free plus non-specific binding for the derivation of BPND. Thus, one cannot discount the possibility that differences in the fraction of D2/3 specific binding between the agonist and antagonist radiotracer could have biased the % RHIGH measured in this clinical study as we assumed that there is no specific binding in the cerebellum for both these radiotracers. In summary, despite the limitations of the imaging paradigm used we found no evidence for abnormal D2/3 HIGH binding in cocaine abusers relative to healthy controls, thereby raising questions as to whether it plays a critical role in cocaine dependence in humans.

Acknowledgments

The project described was supported by Award Numbers R21 DA023450, R03 DA024704 and CTSA-UL1 RR024153 from the National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA), the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) and National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute On Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health.

Footnotes

DISCLOSURES

The authors report no competing interests

References

  • Abi-Dargham A, Laruelle M, Seibyl J, Rattner Z, Baldwin RM, Zoghbi SS, Zea-Ponce Y, Bremner JD, Hyde TM, Charney DS, Hoffer PB, Innis RB. SPECT measurement of benzodiazepine receptors in human brain with [123-I]iomazenil: kinetic and equilibrium paradigms. J Nucl Med. 1994;35:228–238. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Briand LA, Flagel SB, Seeman P, Robinson TE. Cocaine self-administration produces a persistent increase in dopamine D2(High) receptors. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2008[PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Gandelman MS, Baldwin RM, Zoghbi SS, Zea-Ponce Y, Innis RB. Evaluation of ultrafiltration for the free fraction determination of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) radiotracers: β-CIT, IBF and iomazenil. J Pharmaceutical Sci. 1994;83:1014–1019. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Halldin C, Farde L, Hogberg T, Hall H, Strom P, Ohlberger A, Solin O. A comparative PET-study of five carbon-11 or fluorine-18 labelled salicylamides. Preparation and in vitro dopamine D-2 receptor binding. Int J Rad Appl Instrum B. 1991;18(8):871–881. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Hwang D, Kegeles LS, Laruelle M. (−)-N-[(11)C]propyl-norapomorphine: a positron-labeled dopamine agonist for PET imaging of D(2) receptors. Nucl Med Biol. 2000;27(6):533–539. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Innis RB, Cunningham VJ, Delforge J, Fujita M, Gjedde A, Gunn RN, Holden J, Houle S, Huang SC, Ichise M, Iida H, Ito H, Kimura Y, Koeppe RA, Knudsen GM, Knuuti J, Lammertsma AA, Laruelle M, Logan J, Maguire RP, Mintun MA, Morris ED, Parsey R, Price JC, Slifstein M, Sossi V, Suhara T, Votaw JR, Wong DF, Carson RE. Consensus nomenclature for in vivo imaging of reversibly binding radioligands. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2007;27(9):1533–1539. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Lammertsma AA, Bench CJ, Hume SP, Osman S, Gunn K, Brooks DJ, Frackowiak RS. Comparison of methods for analysis of clinical [11C]raclopride studies. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 1996;16(1):42–52. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Martinez D, Broft A, Foltin RW, Slifstein M, Hwang DR, Huang Y, Perez A, Frankle WG, Cooper T, Kleber HD, Fischman MW, Laruelle M. Cocaine dependence and d2 receptor availability in the functional subdivisions of the striatum: relationship with cocaine-seeking behavior. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2004;29(6):1190–1202. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Martinez D, Greene K, Broft A, Kumar D, Liu F, Narendran R, Slifstein M, Van Heertum R, Kleber HD. Lower level of endogenous dopamine in patients with cocaine dependence: findings from PET imaging of D(2)/D(3) receptors following acute dopamine depletion. Am J Psychiatry. 2009;166(10):1170–1177.[PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Martinez D, Narendran R, Foltin R, MS, Hwang D-R, Broft A, Huang Y, Cooper T, Fischman M, Kleber H, Laruelle M. Amphetamine-induced dopamine release is markedly blunted in cocaine dependent subjects and predictive of the choice to self administer cocaine. Am J Psychiatry. 2007;164(4):622–629. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Martinez D, Slifstein M, Broft A, Mawlawi O, Hwang DR, Huang Y, Cooper T, Kegeles L, Zarahn E, Abi-Dargham A, Haber SN, Laruelle M. Imaging human mesolimbic dopamine transmission with positron emission tomography. Part II: amphetamine-induced dopamine release in the functional subdivisions of the striatum. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2003;23(3):285–300. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Mawlawi O, Martinez D, Slifstein M, Broft A, Chatterjee R, Hwang DR, Huang Y, Simpson N, Ngo K, Van Heertum R, Laruelle M. Imaging human mesolimbic dopamine transmission with positron emission tomography: I. Accuracy and precision of D2 receptor parameter measurements in ventral striatum. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2001;21(9):1034–1057. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Narendran R, Frankle WG, Mason NS, Laymon CM, Lopresti B, Price CJ, Kendro S, Vora S, Litschge M, Mountz JM, Mathis C. PET Imaging of D2/3 agonist binding in healthy human subjects with the radiotracer [11C]-N-propyl-nor-apomorphine (NPA): preliminary evaluation and reproducibility studies. Synapse. 2009a;63(7):574–584.[PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Narendran R, Frankle WG, Mason NS, Laymon CM, Lopresti BJ, Price JC, Kendro S, Vora S, Litschge M, Mountz JM, Mathis CA. Positron emission tomography imaging of D(2/3) agonist binding in healthy human subjects with the radiotracer [(11)C]-N-propyl-norapomorphine: preliminary evaluation and reproducibility studies. Synapse. 2009b;63(7):574–584.[PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Narendran R, Hwang DR, Slifstein M, Talbot PS, Erritzoe D, Huang Y, Cooper TB, Martinez D, Kegeles LS, Abi-Dargham A, Laruelle M. In vivo vulnerability to competition by endogenous dopamine: Comparison of the D2 receptor agonist radiotracer (−)-N-[11C]propyl-norapomorphine ([11C]NPA) with the D2 receptor antagonist radiotracer [11C]-raclopride. Synapse. 2004;52(3):188–208. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Narendran R, Martinez D. Cocaine abuse and sensitization of striatal dopamine transmission: a critical review of the preclinical and clinical imaging literature. Synapse. 2008;62(11):851–869. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Narendran R, Mason NS, Chen CM, Himes M, Keating P, May MA, Rabiner EA, Laruelle M, Mathis CA, Frankle WG. Evaluation of dopamine D(2/3) specific binding in the cerebellum for the positron emission tomography radiotracer [(11) C]FLB 457: Implications for measuring cortical dopamine release. Synapse. 2011 In press. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Narendran R, Mason NS, Laymon C, Lopresti B, Velasquez N, May M, Kendro S, Martinez D, Mathis C, Frankle G. A comparative evaluation of the dopamine D2/3 agonist radiotracer [11C]NPA and antagonist [11C]raclopride to measure amphetamine-induced dopamine release in the human striatum. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2010;63(7):574–584.[PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Rabiner EA, Slifstein M, Nobrega J, Plisson C, Huiban M, Raymond R, Diwan M, Wilson AA, McCormick P, Gentile G, Gunn RN, Laruelle MA. In vivo quantification of regional dopamine-D3 receptor binding potential of (+)-PHNO: Studies in non-human primates and transgenic mice. Synapse. 2009;63(9):782–793. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Searle G, Beaver JD, Comley RA, Bani M, Tziortzi A, Slifstein M, Mugnaini M, Griffante C, Wilson AA, Merlo-Pich E, Houle S, Gunn R, Rabiner EA, Laruelle M. Imaging dopamine D3 receptors in the human brain with positron emission tomography, [11C]PHNO, and a selective D3 receptor antagonist. Biol Psychiatry. 2010;68(4):392–399. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Seeman P. Dopamine D2High receptors measured ex vivo are elevated in amphetamine-sensitized animals. Synapse. 2009;63(3):186–192. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Seeman P, McCormick PN, Kapur S. Increased dopamine D2(High) receptors in amphetamine-sensitized rats, measured by the agonist [(3)H](+)PHNO. Synapse. 2007;61(5):263–267. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Seeman P, Tallerico T, Ko F, Tenn C, Kapur S. Amphetamine-sensitized animals show a marked increase in dopamine D2 high receptors occupied by endogenous dopamine, even in the absence of acute challenges. Synapse. 2002;46(4):235–239. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Volkow ND, Fowler JS, Wang GJ, Hitzemann R, Logan J, Schlyer DJ, Dewey SL, Wolf AP. Decreased dopamine D2 receptor availability is associated with reduced frontal metabolism in cocaine abusers. Synapse. 1993;14(2):169–177. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Volkow ND, Fowler JS, Wolf AP, Schlyer D, Shiue CY, Alpert R, Dewey SL, Logan J, Bendriem B, Christman D, et al. Effects of chronic cocaine abuse on postsynaptic dopamine receptors. Am J Psychiatry. 1990;147(6):719–724. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Volkow ND, Wang GJ, Fowler JS, Logan J, Gatley SJ, Hitzemann R, Chen AD, Dewey SL, Pappas N. Decreased striatal dopaminergic responsiveness in detoxified cocaine-dependent subjects. Nature. 1997;386:830–833. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • Wu JC, Bell K, Najafi A, Widmark C, Keator D, Tang C, Klein E, Bunney BG, Fallon J, Bunney WE. Decreasing striatal 6-FDOPA uptake with increasing duration of cocaine withdrawal. Neuropsychopharmacology. 1997;17(6):402–409. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Using data from the UN Office of Drugs and Crime and the crowd-sourced cost collector Numbeo, we created this series of charts showing you the cost of various vices around the world.

Hover over the maps to see the cost in a specific country. All prices are listed in USD.

Cannabis Per Gram

CheapestMost Expensive
1. India $0.08
2. South Africa $0.10
3. Guatemala $0.20
4. Kenya $0.20
5. Nigeria $0.20
6. Brazil $0.30
7. Colombia $1.32
8. Dominican Republic $1.33
1. United Arab Emirates $110
2. Brunei $73.80
3. Japan $68.40
4. Cyprus $39.70
5. Estonia $25.15
6. Finland $23.20
7. Australia $22.90
8. Singapore $22.10

Cocaine Per Gram

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Bolivia $3.50
2. Colombia $3.50
3. Peru $4.50
4. Ecuador $5.00
5. Argentina $5.90
6. Dominican Republic $8.00
7. Honduras $9.20
8. Venezuela $9.30
1. Australia $300.00
2. Japan $269.50
3. Egypt $205.50
4. Ukraine $189.60
5. New Zealand $179.30
6. Russia $174.00
7. Moldova $155.40
8. Norway $154.45

MDMA Per Tablet

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Poland $1.70
2. Serbia $2.65
3. Netherlands $3.90
4. China $4.50
5. Lithuania $4.60
6. United Kingdom $4.60
7. Hungary $4.80
8. Portugal $5.00
1. Myanmar $68.10
2. Russia $57.50
3. South Korea $56.00
4. Norway $44.10
5. Montenegro $41.70
6. Egypt $40.20
7. United States $35.00
8. Japan $33.65

Heroin Per Gram

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Kenya $1.90
2. Afghanistan $2.40
3. Pakistan $3.00
4. Cambodia $5.00
5. Honduras $5.30
6. Nigeria $6.80
7. Malaysia $8.88
8. India $10.93
1. Brunei $1330.40
2. New Zealand $717.40
3. Japan $683.60
4. Georgia $650
5. Sweden $276.50
6. Canada $254.50
7. Denmark $213.60
8. United States $200.00

Meth Per Gram

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Laos $1.00
2. Cambodia $1.60
3. Jordan $2.10
4. Kenya $2.38
5. Serbia $2.65
6. Portugal $3.10
7. Turkey $4.10
8. Bangladesh $4.50
1. Australia $641.40
2. New Zealand $573.90
3. South Korea $562.00
4. Switzerland $286.70
5. Philippines $214.10
6. Indonesia $203.80
7. Saudi Arabia $199.70
8. Singapore $184.25

Pack of Cigarettes Marlboros (20)

Bioinformatics
CheapestMost Expensive
1. Pakistan $1.02
2. Vietnam $1.04
3. Nicaragua $1.10
4. Cambodia $1.10
5. Philippines $1.11
6. Kazakhstan $1.20
7. Indonesia $1.32
8. Nepal $1.33
1. Australia $16.23
2. New Zealand $15.35
3. Norway $15.30
4. Ireland $12.72
5. United Kingdom $12.40
6. Iceland $9.75
7. Singapore $9.43
8. Monaco $9.40

Domestic Beer 0.5 Liter Bottle

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Vietnam $0.59
2. Ukraine $0.67
3. Czech Republic $0.70
4. Macao $0.71
5. Panama $0.73
6. Saudi Arabia $0.76
7. China $0.77
8. Bulgaria $0.77
1. Iran $7.24
2. United Arab Emirates $6.85
3. Qatar $5.81
4. Papua New Guinea $5.64
5. Libya $4.70
6. Singapore $4.54
7. Norway $4.53
8. Australia $4.31

Bottle of Wine Mid-Range

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Moldova $2.97
2. South Africa $4.29
3. Ethiopia $4.35
4. Namibia $4.38
5. Hungary $4.41
6. Uzbekistan $4.44
7. Macedonia $4.45
8. Ukraine $4.50
1. Saudi Arabia $99.99
2. Kuwait $99.96
3. Iran $40.00
4. Libya $39.04
5. Indonesia $24.91
6. Singapore $23.69
7. Bahrain $21.99
8. Qatar $20.60

Cappuccino Regular

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Ethiopia $0.64
2. Algeria $0.90
3. Libya $0.91
4. India $1.08
5. Tunisia $1.20
6. Dominican Republic $1.27
7. Iraq $1.31
8. Albania $1.36
1. Denmark $5.95
2. Norway $5.68
3. Monaco $5.25
4. Switzerland $4.87
5. Cyprus $4.73
6. Kuwait $4.65
7. Sweden $4.63
8. Qatar $4.53

Coke/Pepsi 0.33 Liter Bottle

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Pakistan $0.33
2. India $0.34
3. Bangladesh $0.36
4. Saudi Arabia $0.40
5. Oman $0.42
6. Nepal $0.42
7. Egypt $0.42
8. Iraq $0.43
1. Switzerland $4.43
2. Monaco $4.14
3. Norway $4.09
4. Denmark $3.31
5. France $3.29
6. Austria $3.12
7. Luxembourg $2.95
8. Finland $2.83

Fast Food Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar

CheapestMost Expensive
1. Philippines $2.13
2. Indonesia $2.26
3. India $2.36
4. Laos $2.40
5. Malaysia $2.46
6. Vietnam $2.77
7. Macao $2.82
8. Hong Kong $2.82
1. Norway $11.46
2. Venezuela $10.96
3. Switzerland $10.66
4. Israel $9.35
5. Denmark $8.71
6. Iceland $8.52
7. Luxembourg $8.40
8. France $8.00