Ecological assessment of executive functions in substance dependent individuals.
Substance dependence is associated with executive function deficits. However, most available studies have examined the performance of substance dependent individuals (SDI) on traditional laboratory measures of executive functions, whereas few studies have used ecologically valid assessments with SDI. Our aim was to examine the performance of 37 SDI (poly-substance users) and 37 matched controls on an ecologically valid measure of executive function (the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome - BADS). We also administered the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) to investigate whether ecological measures were more discriminative than traditional tests in detecting SDI deficits. A related aim was to examine the ability of the BADS (and the WCST) to predict everyday executive problems. Results showed that SDI had widespread deficits on ecological measures of executive function. Conversely, we found no differences between groups on the WCST. Furthermore, the BADS (but not the WCST) predicted everyday problems related to apathy, disinhibition, and executive dysfunction.
Verdejo-García
Antonio
A
Institute of Neurosciences F. Olóriz, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain. averdejo@imim.es
Pérez-García
Miguel
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013808:Therapeutic Community
D013287:Illicit Drugs