Cognitive event-related potentials in populations at risk for substance abuse.

Cognitive information processing alterations are observed in populations at risk for drug abuse and in patients whose psychiatric disorders are often comorbid with drug abuse and dependence. A common early information processing deficit in these at-risk populations is hypothesized. The hypo-thesis is that the severity of this deficit or changes in this deficit produced by stimulants will be related to the individual's specific vulnerability to drug abuse and will predict subsequent substance abuse.