Cognition during active methamphetamine use versus remission

ABSTRACT

Objective

To evaluate whether cognitive performance in adults with active methamphetamine use (MA-ACT) differs from cognitive performance in adults in remission from MA use disorder (MA-REM) and adults without a history of substance use disorder (CTLs).

Method

MA-ACT (n = 36), MA-REM (n = 48), and CTLs (n = 62) completed the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB).

Results

The MA-ACT group did not perform significantly worse than CTLs on any NAB Index. The MA-REM group performed significantly (p < 0.050) worse than CTLs on the NAB Memory Index. The MA-ACT group performed significantly better than CTLs and the MA-REM group on the Executive Functions Index.

Conclusions

Some cognitive deficits are apparent during remission from MA use, but not during active use; this may result in clinical challenges for adults attempting to maintain recovery and continue with treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognition
• neuropsychological
• addiction
• dependence
• substance use disorder
• stimulant

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the study participants and staff at each of the recruitment sites, including Central City Concern, CODA, Inc., De Paul Treatment Centers, Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Outside In, Volunteers of America Treatment Centers, Oregon Health & Science University, and the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System Mental Health Division and Substance Abuse Treatment Program. The authors are also grateful to Alissa Bazinet, Ph.D. and Matthew Arbuckle, B.S. for their many contributions to this project as Research Assistants and Psychometrists.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available through the Translational Service Core Biorepository of the Methamphetamine Research Center (MARC), Portland, OR, USA. The Biorepository’s protocol was approved by the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHC)’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Interested investigators may apply for release of original data through the VAPORHCS IRB and the Biorepository Director (JML). Application instructions are available from the corresponding author (JML), upon reasonable written request https://www.ohsu.edu/methamphetamine-research-center.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [T32 AA007468]; National Institute on Drug Abuse [DA P50DA018165,T32 DA007262]; United States Department of Veterans Affairs Biomedical Laboratory Research and Development Merit Review Program [I01 BX002061]; United States Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Sciences Research and Development Merit Review Program [I0CX001558]; United States Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Sciences Research and Development Career Development Program [CX17008-CDA2]; Oregon Health & Science University Center for Women’s Health – Circle of Giving [APSYC0287]; U.S. Department of Justice [2010-DD-BX-0517].