Heroin impairs map-picture-following and memory tasks dependent on gender and orientation of the tasks.
Male and female heroin-dependent patients (HDPs) matched with "normal" people were tested on 4 topographical orientation tasks: schematic map-following, map-memory, schematic picture-following, and picture-memory tasks. The results showed that, in general, female HDPs demonstrated greater performance deficits in map-following and map-picture-memory tasks than did other participants. In the map-picture-following tasks, participants showed a preference for turning right versus turning left, reflected by lower correct scores and longer latencies in completing left-oriented tasks. In contrast, no difference in orientation preference was found for participants in memory tasks, except for female HDPs. Asymmetric dopamine receptor distribution in the brain, sex steroidal hormone, brain areas related to motor functioning and working memory, and gender-dependent lateralization may be involved in the different effects of heroin and rightward bias between men and women.
Laboratory of Primate Neuroscience Research, Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #32 Kunming Jiao Chang Dong Lu, Yunnan 650223, China.
Jian Hong
JH
Wang
Xiao Fen
XF
Liu
Yan Mei
YM
Chen
Hua Yin
HY
Sun
Yu
Y
Fu
Man Xiu
MX
Ma
Jing
J
He
Hai Yan
HY
Wang
Fraser A W
FA
Wilson
Synnöve
S
Carlson
Yuan Ye
YY
Ma
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics