title: Comparison of impulsivity and working memory in cocaine addiction and pathological gambling: Implications for cocaine-induced neurotoxicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to compare the cognitive performance of cocaine dependent individuals (CDI) with that of pathological gamblers (PG). Cocaine dependence and pathological gambling share neurobiological vulnerabilities related to addiction, but PG are relatively free of the toxic consequences, such that any additional deficits observed in CDI may be interpreted as pertaining to specific drug effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a case-control observational design contrasting multiple measures of impulsivity (UPPS-P trait impulsivity, delay discounting) and executive measures of response inhibition (Stroop) and working memory performance (N-back) between groups of CDI (n=29), PG (n=23), and healthy controls (n=20). We conducted one-way ANOVAs, followed by planned pairwise tests and calculations of Cohen's d to estimate significant differences between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CDI, as compared to PG, had elevated scores on UPPS-P Negative Urgency and poorer performance on working memory (2-back). PG had steeper delay-discounting rates. Both groups had elevated Positive Urgency and poorer Stroop inhibition compared to controls. Peak amount of cocaine use was negatively correlated with working memory and response inhibition performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found cocaine-related specific elevations in Negative Urgency and working memory deficits, putatively identified as cocaine neurotoxicity effects. Other aspects of impulsivity (Positive Urgency, Stroop inhibition) were increased across CDI and PG groups and may reflect vulnerability factors for addiction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Universidad de Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Albein-Urios
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Martinez-González
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lozano
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verdejo-García
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019540:Area Under Curve; D003042:Cocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D057190:Stroop Test; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine