Study With Monkeys Tests Prenatal Cocaine Use

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine tested the affects of cocaine use on monkeys. It found adult males exposed to the drug while in the womb have less impulse control. It also shows they could be more vulnerable to drug abuse than female monkeys years after the exposure.

"For us to still be seeing these effects 15 years after that initial exposure is really surprising and shows how long lasting these effects can be," said research student Lindsey Hamilton.

Researchers say the findings could lead to a better understanding of human drug use. They presented the study at the Society of Neuroscience meeting in Chicago Wednesday.