ABSTRACT
A continuously rising consumption of methamphetamine (MA) has been suggested to be associated with increasing cognitive dysfunction. The objective of this study was to investigate associations between cognitive functions and gender, drug using patterns and treatment-attending profiles of recently abstinent MA users over the course of six months abstinence. Data were collected from 108 participants in two inpatient rehabilitation centers. The mean duration of MA use was 11.5 years. Interviews and cognitive tests (cognitrone, Stroop, TMT, nback) were performed right after the withdrawal and again after approx. six months of abstinence. Comparisons and explorative analyses between the groups (gender, primary MA/ multidrug users, early dropouts/ completers) regarding cognitive variables were performed. At baseline a significant decline in general neuropsychological functioning and attention/concentration after ongoing years of consumption were found. After a period of six months abstinence, cognitive performances remained stable or improved significantly for cognitrone percentile and cognitive flexibility. Normal cognitive functions were measured in former MA users after acute withdrawal which remained stable and partly improved in those patients who refrained from substance abuse over six months. Continued long-term MA intake was the only identified indicator of poorer cognitive performance. These results point towards a regain of cognitive performance in patients abstinent from MA.
Subject(s)
Amphetamine-Related Disorders/psychology , Cognition Disorders/psychology , Cognition/physiology , Methamphetamine/adverse effects , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Amphetamine-Related Disorders/diagnosis , Amphetamine-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Cognition Disorders/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/diagnosis , Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/epidemiology , Time Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
Following a short overview on the epidemiology and clinical correlates of amphetamine abuse and dependence, with special emphasis on metamphetamine ("crystal"), current treatment concepts and recent results of therapy research are discussed. The efficacy of two inpatient treatment models for methamphetamine dependence are currently studied in a study funded by the German Ministry of health. The study concept is given and possible implications are discussed.