Jeremiah Weinstock1, Qiang Fu2, Kirti Veeramachaneni3, Lindsey M Poe3, Catherine Baxley4, Edward Weiss3. 1. Saint Louis University, 3700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA. Electronic address: jeremiah.weinstock@health.slu.edu. 2. Saint Louis University, 3700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA; Tufts University, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. 3. Saint Louis University, 3700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA. 4. Saint Louis University, 3700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108, USA; San Francisco VA Medical Center, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA, 94121, USA; University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cognitive functioning refers to storage and manipulation of information and includes executive functioning (EF) and attention (ATT). While physical activity (PA) improves cognitive functioning, decrements are associated with frequent substance use. This study examined PA on cognitive functioning within the context of past-year substance use. METHODS: Using NESARC-III data (N = 36,309), cross-sectional analysis examined interactions between self-reported past-year PA and substance use in relation to cognitive functioning. RESULTS: As hypothesized, light-to-moderate, vigorous, and total PA conditional main effects were positively associated with both facets of cognition, while frequent substance use conditional main effects were negatively associated with ATT and EF. The positive association between PA and cognition was diminished by substance use. Frequent binge drinking, marijuana, cocaine, and opioid use weakened the impact of light-to-moderate PA on EF, and only frequent cocaine use lessened the relationship between vigorous PA on EF. When PA intensities were combined, frequent binge drinking and cocaine use weakened the PA and EF association. Infrequent stimulant use reduced the association between all levels of PA and ATT, while infrequent marijuana use unexpectedly enhanced the relation between vigorous PA and ATT. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PA enhanced two facets of cognitive functioning across six substances. However, these benefits are reduced in the context of frequency of substance use. The positive association between light-to-moderate PA and EF appears to be more sensitive in the context of frequent substance use than vigorous PA. Implications for public health messaging and PA as cognitive remediation treatment for substance use disorders are discussed.
BACKGROUND: Cognitive functioning refers to storage and manipulation of information and includes executive functioning (EF) and attention (ATT). While physical activity (PA) improves cognitive functioning, decrements are associated with frequent substance use. This study examined PA on cognitive functioning within the context of past-year substance use. METHODS: Using NESARC-III data (N = 36,309), cross-sectional analysis examined interactions between self-reported past-year PA and substance use in relation to cognitive functioning. RESULTS: As hypothesized, light-to-moderate, vigorous, and total PA conditional main effects were positively associated with both facets of cognition, while frequent substance use conditional main effects were negatively associated with ATT and EF. The positive association between PA and cognition was diminished by substance use. Frequent binge drinking, marijuana, cocaine, and opioid use weakened the impact of light-to-moderate PA on EF, and only frequent cocaine use lessened the relationship between vigorous PA on EF. When PA intensities were combined, frequent binge drinking and cocaine use weakened the PA and EF association. Infrequent stimulant use reduced the association between all levels of PA and ATT, while infrequent marijuana use unexpectedly enhanced the relation between vigorous PA and ATT. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PA enhanced two facets of cognitive functioning across six substances. However, these benefits are reduced in the context of frequency of substance use. The positive association between light-to-moderate PA and EF appears to be more sensitive in the context of frequent substance use than vigorous PA. Implications for public health messaging and PA as cognitive remediation treatment for substance use disorders are discussed.
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Authors: Egon Hagen; Aleksander H Erga; Katrin P Hagen; Sverre M Nesvåg; James R McKay; Astri J Lundervold; Espen Walderhaug Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Date: 2016-03-09
Authors: Janina Krell-Roesch; Jeremy A Syrjanen; Maria Vassilaki; Bettina Barisch-Fritz; Sandra Trautwein; Klaus Boes; Alexander Woll; Walter K Kremers; Mary M Machulda; Michelle M Mielke; David S Knopman; Ronald C Petersen; Yonas E Geda Journal: Eur J Ageing Date: 2019-04-12