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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Verbal learning impairment in adolescents with methamphetamine use disorder: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Lukas Andreas Basedow, Sören Kuitunen-Paul, Melina Felicitas Wiedmann, Stefan Ehrlich, Veit Roessner, Yulia Golub

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Methamphetamine (MA) use has been shown to be associated with deficits in impulsivity, verbal learning, and working memory. Additionally, methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is related to various brain changes, especially in adolescent users who might be more vulnerable to detrimental effects on brain development. However, little is known about the relationship between adolescent MA use and cognitive impairment. This cross-sectional study aims to explore how the presence of a MUD in adolescents is related to impairments of verbal memory, inhibition, and alertness.

Methods

N = 18 psychiatric outpatients with MUD were matched in terms of depressivity, age, and gender to n = 18 adolescents with other substance use disorders (SUDs), as well as n = 18 controls without SUDs. We compared these three groups on the Verbal Learning and Memory Task (VLMT), and the alertness and go/noGo subtests of the Test of Attentional Performance (TAP). Additionally, Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate whether cognitive functioning was directly associated with frequency of past year MA use.

Results

The three groups differed significantly in their verbal learning performance (H (2) = 11.7, p = .003, η_p² = .19), but not in short-term memory, inhibition, cued recall, or alertness. Post hoc tests revealed significant differences in verbal learning between the MA using group and the control group without a SUD (U = 56.5, p = .001, η_p² = .31). Frequency of past year MA use correlated negatively with short-term memory (ρ = −.25, p < .01) and verbal learning (ρ = −.41, p < .01). No other cognitive variables correlated significantly with MA use frequency. Significant p-values were considered significant after Bonferroni correction.

Conclusions

Adolescent MUD outpatients with regular MA use show specific impairment in verbal learning performance, but not in other basal cognitive functions when compared to adolescents without a MUD. Verbal learning and short-term memory performance is negatively associated with the frequency of MA use. Future research should apply longitudinal designs to investigate long-term effects of methamphetamine and reversibility of these effects on cognitive functioning.

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Title: Verbal learning impairment in adolescents with methamphetamine use disorder: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lukas Andreas Basedow
Sören Kuitunen-Paul
Melina Felicitas Wiedmann
Stefan Ehrlich
Veit Roessner
Yulia Golub
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03169-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Verbal learning impairment in adolescents with methamphetamine use disorder: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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