BACKGROUND: A wide range of studies found that opiate-dependent patients suffer from cognitive impairment due to a number of different factors. However, this issue has never been examined systematically. Thus, the aim of the present study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of factors that might contribute to cognitive impairment of opiate-dependent patients and specifically differentiates between various cognitive abilities as these might be impacted differently. METHODS: Based on a comprehensive review of the literature with regard to previous findings and suggestions about which factors might affect cognitive functioning, we assessed a wide variety of variables related to substance use and opiate-dependence as well as demographic and socioeconomic variables. Cognitive functioning was assessed through a neuropsychological test-battery. RESULTS: We found that the duration of opiate dependence and maintenance treatment, as well as additional substance consumption (alcohol, amphetamines, and cocaine) are the main variables contributing to cognitive impairment in the domains of attention and executive function. Comorbid depressive symptoms negatively affected reaction times. There was no evidence for the role of demographic variables like age and education on cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that it might be important in the treatment of opiate dependence to address the consumption of additional substances and to closely monitor the negative effects of maintenance treatment on cognitive functioning.
BACKGROUND: A wide range of studies found that opiate-dependent patients suffer from cognitive impairment due to a number of different factors. However, this issue has never been examined systematically. Thus, the aim of the present study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of factors that might contribute to cognitive impairment of opiate-dependentpatients and specifically differentiates between various cognitive abilities as these might be impacted differently. METHODS: Based on a comprehensive review of the literature with regard to previous findings and suggestions about which factors might affect cognitive functioning, we assessed a wide variety of variables related to substance use and opiate-dependence as well as demographic and socioeconomic variables. Cognitive functioning was assessed through a neuropsychological test-battery. RESULTS: We found that the duration of opiate dependence and maintenance treatment, as well as additional substance consumption (alcohol, amphetamines, and cocaine) are the main variables contributing to cognitive impairment in the domains of attention and executive function. Comorbid depressive symptoms negatively affected reaction times. There was no evidence for the role of demographic variables like age and education on cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that it might be important in the treatment of opiate dependence to address the consumption of additional substances and to closely monitor the negative effects of maintenance treatment on cognitive functioning.
Authors: Brent A Moore; Frank D Buono; Destiny M B Printz; Daniel P Lloyd; David A Fiellin; Christopher J Cutter; Richard S Schottenfeld; Declan T Barry Journal: Exp Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2017-12 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: Louisa Degenhardt; Jason Grebely; Jack Stone; Matthew Hickman; Peter Vickerman; Brandon D L Marshall; Julie Bruneau; Frederick L Altice; Graeme Henderson; Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar; Sarah Larney Journal: Lancet Date: 2019-10-23 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Travis M Scott; Monica Rivera Mindt; Chinazo O Cunningham; Franchesca Arias; Kelly Coulehan; Aprille Mangalonzo; Pat Olsen; Julia H Arnsten Journal: Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy Date: 2017-11-15
Authors: Travis M Scott; Julia Arnsten; James Patrick Olsen; Franchesca Arias; Chinazo O Cunningham; Monica Rivera Mindt Journal: Addict Sci Clin Pract Date: 2021-10-24
Authors: Donna E Murray; Timothy C Durazzo; Thomas P Schmidt; Christoph Abé; Joseph Guydish; Dieter J Meyerhoff Journal: J Addict Res Ther Date: 2016-07-15