BACKGROUND: Studies that have investigated the executive functions (EFs) in crack cocaine-dependence have focused on differences between groups of drug users and non-user controls. In this study, however, we employ a promising additional approach that considers individual differences, such as exposure to childhood neglect that might be related to the degree of cognitive impairment associated with addiction. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated EFs in crack cocaine-dependent women who have reported a history of childhood physical neglect (CPN) and compared these measures with those of crack cocaine-dependent women who do not reported CPN. METHOD: The participants were divided into 2 groups: those with a history of CPN (CPN+) (n=37) and those without a history of CPN (CPN-) (n=48). Cold EFs were assessed with the Stroop Task, the Trail Making Test B, the Verbal Fluency Task, the N-Back Task and the Letter and Number Sequencing task. Hot EFs were assessed with the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). RESULTS: The CPN+ group exhibited lower performance in all of the tasks except the IGT. A multivariate analysis of covariance indicated significant group differences in EFs (F(6,63)=2.51, p=0.030), regardless of craving severity and premorbid IQ. CONCLUSIONS: CPN is associated with cognitive impairments in crack cocaine-dependent women specifically regarding EFs and working memory tasks.
BACKGROUND: Studies that have investigated the executive functions (EFs) in crack cocaine-dependence have focused on differences between groups of drug users and non-user controls. In this study, however, we employ a promising additional approach that considers individual differences, such as exposure to childhood neglect that might be related to the degree of cognitive impairment associated with addiction. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated EFs in crack cocaine-dependent women who have reported a history of childhood physical neglect (CPN) and compared these measures with those of crack cocaine-dependent women who do not reported CPN. METHOD: The participants were divided into 2 groups: those with a history of CPN (CPN+) (n=37) and those without a history of CPN (CPN-) (n=48). Cold EFs were assessed with the Stroop Task, the Trail Making Test B, the Verbal Fluency Task, the N-Back Task and the Letter and Number Sequencing task. Hot EFs were assessed with the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). RESULTS: The CPN+ group exhibited lower performance in all of the tasks except the IGT. A multivariate analysis of covariance indicated significant group differences in EFs (F(6,63)=2.51, p=0.030), regardless of craving severity and premorbid IQ. CONCLUSIONS:CPN is associated with cognitive impairments in crack cocaine-dependent women specifically regarding EFs and working memory tasks.
Authors: Michael J Watt; Matthew A Weber; Shaydel R Davies; Gina L Forster Journal: Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry Date: 2017-06-19 Impact factor: 5.067