Chenxi Zhang1, Yan Xu1, Bin Zhang1, Wei Hao2, Wai Kwong Tang3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China. 2. Hunan Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders & National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China. 3. Department of Psychiatry, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address: tangwk@cuhk.edu.hk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The treatment of ketamine users is substantially challenged by high dropout rates, raising questions regarding contributing factors. A number of studies have highlighted the potential of greater focus on the clinical significance of cognitive impairments in ketamine users. The present study hypothesized that cognitive deficits would play a role in greater risk for treatment dropout in chronic ketamine users. METHODS: Our study examined cognitive performance in the form of working memory, verbal memory, visual memory and executive function among chronic ketamine users who completed three-month treatment in residential detoxification centres (N = 165), those who dropped out prematurely (N = 121) and drug-free healthy controls (N = 111). The data collection was completed in Hong Kong among the East Asia population. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, cognitive impairments were found in ketamine users, including in verbal/visual memory and executive function. Executive dysfunction was significantly associated with dropout in ketamine users within three months. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that executive dysfunction may have clinical benefits in ketamine users admitted to residential treatment programmes.
BACKGROUND: The treatment of ketamine users is substantially challenged by high dropout rates, raising questions regarding contributing factors. A number of studies have highlighted the potential of greater focus on the clinical significance of cognitive impairments in ketamine users. The present study hypothesized that cognitive deficits would play a role in greater risk for treatment dropout in chronic ketamine users. METHODS: Our study examined cognitive performance in the form of working memory, verbal memory, visual memory and executive function among chronic ketamine users who completed three-month treatment in residential detoxification centres (N = 165), those who dropped out prematurely (N = 121) and drug-free healthy controls (N = 111). The data collection was completed in Hong Kong among the East Asia population. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, cognitive impairments were found in ketamine users, including in verbal/visual memory and executive function. Executive dysfunction was significantly associated with dropout in ketamine users within three months. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that executive dysfunction may have clinical benefits in ketamine users admitted to residential treatment programmes.
Authors: Nicole D Fitzgerald; Catherine W Striley; Joseph J Palamar; Jan Copeland; Steven Kurtz; Linda B Cottler Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2021-09-21 Impact factor: 4.492