Preliminary findings of the effects of rivastigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on working memory in cocaine-dependent volunteers.
Long-term cocaine use is a risk factor for the onset of neurocognitive impairment. This study sought to determine whether the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine could improve neurocognitive performance in cocaine-dependent individuals. Cocaine-dependent individuals who were not seeking treatment at the time of enrollment in the study were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n=16), rivastigmine 3mg (n=13), or rivastigmine 6mg (n=12). The baseline neurocognitive assessment, which included measures of attention/information processing (as measured by the Continuous Performance Task-II (CPT-II)), verbal learning/episodic memory (as measured by the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R)), and working memory (as measured by the Dual N-Back Task), was conducted prior to the administration of study medication (Day 0). The follow-up assessment was conducted on Day 8 after the participants had received rivastigmine or placebo for 7days (Day 2-8). Rivastigmine administration significantly improved performance on one measure of working memory span (mean n-back span). This study provides additional data showing that cocaine-associated neurocognitive impairment, specifically working memory deficits, can be remediated, at least to some degree.
Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
James J
JJ
Mahoney
Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Ari D
AD
Kalechstein
Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Christopher D
CD
Verrico
Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Nicholas M
NM
Arnoudse
Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Benjamin A
BA
Shapiro
Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, United States. Electronic address: rg12@bcm.edu.
Richard
R
De La Garza
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D055815:Young Adult
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; Cocaine; Neurocognition; Rivastigmine; Working memory