title: Attention and memory in illicit amphetamine users.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess cognitive functioning in a group of illicit amphetamine users. A neuropsychological test battery (Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) and the digit symbol, block design and vocabulary subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) and the National Adult Reading Test (NART)) was administered to 78 amphetamine users (mean age = 22.5 years; 46 males, 33 females). Severity of amphetamine dependence was found to be associated with poorer performance on both memory and attention/concentration indices of the WMS-R. The relative contribution of amphetamine dependence, concurrent drug use and other drug related factors to neuropsychological functioning are discussed.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKetin
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Mattick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D007360:Intelligence / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D013287:Illicit Drugs