Neuropsychological functioning of opiate-dependent patients: a nonrandomized comparison of patients preferring either buprenorphine or methadone maintenance treatment.
OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we investigated whether buprenorphine as a partial mu-opioid receptor agonist is associated with less cognitive impairment than methadone.


METHODS
Neuropsychological functioning of opioid-dependent patients, previously assigned to methadone (MMP, n = 30) or buprenorphine (BMP, n = 26) maintenance treatment according to their own preference, was compared and dose effects were investigated.


RESULTS
MMP and BMP performed equally well on all measures of neuropsychological functioning including the trail making test, the continuous performance test, and a vigilance task. However, patients receiving a higher dose of methadone were impaired in a vigilance task.


CONCLUSIONS
In a free-choice administration of methadone or buprenorphine, there seems to be no difference in cognitive functioning. Possible explanations are discussed.
Loeber
Sabine
S
Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Kniest
Anja
A
Diehl
Alexander
A
Mann
Karl
K
Croissant
Bernhard
B
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000819:agonists; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D002047:Buprenorphine; D008691:Methadone