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Anthony P. Amarose, PhD; Charles R. Schuster, PhD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1971;25(2):181-186.

Abstract
Cytogenetic and clinical data were obtained from 22 former illicitdrug-users and 22 controls. Subjects were grouped into four categories depending on main drug of choice: opiates, psychedelics, amphetamines, and barbiturates. No relationship or difference was ascertained between abnormal metaphases and drug type, time off drugs, years on drugs, or life style. Drug users showed a disparity in the chromosome damage of the bone marrow and peripheral blood, since their peripheral blood lymphocytic cells exhibited a statistically significant number of abnormal metaphases, while the bone marrow was essentially normal. Karyotype analyses of marrow and blood metaphases did not reveal clones of cells. Although the chromosome damage is statistically different (P < 0.001) between the former illicit-drug users and controls, there is no proof of direct causality between drugs, drug abuse, and damaged chromosomes.

Author Affiliations
Chicago

From the departments of obstetrics and gynecology (Dr. Amarose) and psychiatry (Dr. Schuster), the Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication April 5, 1971.

Reprint requests to Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 Maryland Ave, Chicago 60637 (Dr. Amarose).

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ABSTRACT