Organic impairment in polydrug users: risk factors.
In a national collaborative study to assess the neuropsychological status of 151 polydrug users, the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery showed deficits in 37% two to three weeks after they entered treatment and in 34% at three-month follow-up. Comparative rates for a group of psychiatric patients were 26% and 27%, and for nonpatients, 8% and 4%. Extensive and intensive use of CNS depressants and opiates correlated positively with neuropsychological deficit. Older, less-educated subjects with adverse medical or developmental histories were more likely to show polydrug-related organic impairment. Although there is some evidence that such impairment is reversible, the condition appears to be of at least intermediate duration and may be long lasting.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000150:complications; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000009:adverse effects; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012306:Risk; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010424:Pentobarbital