title: Neurocognitive, psychiatric, and substance use characteristics in opioid dependent adults.
abstract: To describe neurocognitive function among opioid-dependent adults seeking buprenorphine treatment and to explore the impact of lifetime psychiatric conditions on neurocognitive function. To explore the additive interaction of patient-based characteristics that may help to inform treatment.
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional assessment of neurocognitive function, substance use, and psychiatric characteristics of adults seeking buprenorphine treatment within substance use treatment centers in New York City.
  
  
  
  Thirty-eight opioid-dependent adults seeking buprenorphine treatment.
  
  
  
  A comprehensive battery, which included measures of executive functioning, learning, memory, verbal fluency, attention, processing speed, and motor functioning were administered. The Wide Range Achievement Test-Third Edition, the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and an audio computer assisted structured interview were also completed. Correlations and independent sample t-tests were used to ascertain group differences.
  
  
  
  Thirty-nine percent of participants were impaired in global neurocognitive function (n=15). Over one third were impaired in either: learning (n=28), memory (n=26), executive functioning (n=17), motor functioning (n=17), attention/working memory (n=14) or verbal fluency (n=12). Lifetime history of alcohol dependence was associated with impairment in global neurocognitive, executive functioning, and motor functioning. Lifetime history of cocaine dependence was associated with impairment in executive functioning and motor functioning (all p's<0.05). Major depressive disorder history was not associated with neurocognitive impairment.
  
  
  
  Among this sample of opioid-dependent adults, there were high rates of global and domain-specific neurocognitive impairment, with severe impairment in learning and memory. Lifetime alcohol and cocaine dependence were associated with greater neurocognitive impairment, particularly in executive functioning. Because executive functioning is critical for decision-making and learning/memory dysfunction may interfere with information encoding, these findings suggest that opioid-dependent adults may require enhanced support for medical decision-making.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Fordham University, United States. Electronic address: farias2@fordham.edu.
authors.forename: Franchesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Montefiore Medical Center, United States.
authors.forename: Julia H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Arnsten
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Montefiore Medical Center, United States.
authors.forename: Chinazo O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Fordham University, United States.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coulehan
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Montefiore Medical Center, United States.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batchelder
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Montefiore Medical Center, United States.
authors.forename: Mia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brisbane
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Montefiore Medical Center, United States.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Fordham University, United States; Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, United States.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rivera-Mindt
mesh_terms: D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000379:methods; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D002047:Buprenorphine
keywords: Buprenorphine treatment; Depression; Neurocognitive performance; Opioid dependence; Substance use disorders