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A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Social-cognitive difficulties in former users of methamphetamine
Julie D Henry1, Magdalena Mazur, Peter G Rendell
1School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. julie.henry@unsw.edu.au
The British Journal of Clinical Psychology
|April 29, 2009
Summary
Methamphetamine abuse significantly impairs social cognition, including facial affect recognition and theory of mind. These social-cognitive deficits in methamphetamine users are substantial and impact rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is a significant public health concern.
- MA dependence is linked to neurocognitive impairments, affecting executive function and memory.
- The impact of MA use on social-cognitive functions remains less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate social-cognitive function deficits in individuals with a history of methamphetamine dependence.
- To compare social-cognitive impairments with known neurocognitive deficits in MA users.
- To assess the implications of social-cognitive difficulties for rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- Study included 12 adults with MA dependence (abstinent for ~6 months) and 12 MA-naive controls.
- Participants completed assessments of facial affect recognition and theory of mind.
- Measures of executive function and memory were also administered.
Main Results:
- Methamphetamine users showed significant impairments in facial affect recognition (d = 1.75).
- MA users exhibited pronounced deficits in theory of mind (d = 2.32).
- These social-cognitive deficits were comparable to or greater than those found in executive function and memory.
Conclusions:
- Methamphetamine use is strongly associated with social-cognitive impairments.
- These social-cognitive deficits have critical implications for the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs.
- Addressing social cognition is crucial for improving outcomes in MA dependence treatment.
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