Neuropsychological Deficits in Withdrawn Cocaine-Dependent Males

Abstract

Previous research suggests that cocaine abuse may result in neuropsychological deficits. To examine this further, we compared cocaine-withdrawn patients (N = 35) to normal controls (N = 17) on tasks of attention, concentration, perceptual-motor speed, and cognitive flexibility. The withdrawn cocaine patients performed significantly worse on Arithmetic, Grooved Peg Board Dominant and Non-Dominant, and Trails B tests. These findings suggest that withdrawn cocaine-dependent patients have more neuropsychological impairment than normal controls.