title: Cognitive performance and autonomic reactivity in abstinent drug abusers and nonusers.
abstract: In this study the authors compared the performance of abstinent drug abusers (n = 21) and nonuser control participants (n = 20) in neurocognitive and emotional functions by use of the Rogers Decision Making Task, Gambling Task, Emotional Stroop, impulsivity continuous performance task (CPT), and vigilance CPT. Skin conductance (SC) and heart rate (HR) monitoring was synchronized with task performance. Groups showed similar performance for vigilance, impulsivity, and emotional interference; however, drug abusers showed stronger SC responses. Drug abusers performed more poorly on the Gambling and Rogers Decision Making Tasks. When making risky decisions, drug abusers showed significantly less increase in SC activity than controls and exhibited lower HRs throughout performance on all tasks. In conclusion, complex tasks involving decision making, sensitivity to consequences, and emotional regulation discriminated between drug abusers and controls.
authors.affiliation: RTI International, Rockville, MD, USA. dfishbein@rti.org
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fishbein
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hyde
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eldreth
authors.forename: Edythe D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: London
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matochik
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Isenberg
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steckley
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schech
authors.forename: Alane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012201:Reward; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*