Effects of methamphetamine abuse on spatial cognitive function

Methamphetamine (MA) abuse has been rising rapidly over the past decade, however, its impact in spatial cognitive function remains unknown. To understand its effect on visuospatial ability and spatial orientation ability, 40 MA users and 40 non-MA users conducted the Simple Reaction Task (Task 1), the Spatial Orientation Task (Task 2), and the Mental Rotation Task (Task 3), respectively. There was no significant difference in either accuracy or reaction time (RT) between 2 groups in Task 1. During Task 2, in comparison with non-MA users, MA users performed poorer on RT, but not in accuracy for foot and hand stimuli. In addition, both non-MA and MA users responded much more quickly to upward stimuli than downward stimuli on vertical surface, however, only non-MA users exhibited leftward visual field advantage in horizontal orientation processing. As for Task 3, MA users exhibited poorer performance and more errors than their healthy counterparts. For each group, linear relationship was revealed between RT and orientation angle, whereas MA abuse led to longer intercept for all stimuli involved. Our findings suggested that MA abuse may lead to a general deficit in the visuospatial ability and the spatial orientation ability with more serious impact in the former.