Are attention lapses related to d-amphetamine liking?

A rich literature suggests that both impulsiveness and drug-induced euphoria are risk factors for drug abuse. However, few studies have examined whether sensitivity to the euphoric effects of stimulants is related to attention lapses, a behavioral measure of inattention sometimes associated with impulsivity.

The aim of the study was to examine ratings of d-amphetamine drug liking among individuals with high, moderate, and low attention lapses.

Ninety-nine healthy volunteers were divided into three equal-sized groups based on their performance on a measure of lapses of attention. The groups, who exhibited low, medium, and high attention lapses (i.e., long reaction times) on a simple reaction time task, were compared on their subjective responses (i.e., ratings of liking and wanting more drug) after acute doses of d-amphetamine (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg).

Subjects who exhibited high lapses liked 20 mg d-amphetamine less than subjects who exhibited low lapses. These subjects also tended to report smaller increases in "wanting more drug" after d-amphetamine.

The findings suggest that participants who exhibit impaired attention may be less sensitive to stimulant-induced euphoria.