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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
09:16
A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Executive function moderates naltrexone effects on methamphetamine-induced craving and subjective responses
Aaron C Lim1, Erica N Grodin1, Rejoyce Green1
1Department of Psychology, University of California , Los Angeles, CA, USA.
The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
|April 29, 2020
Summary
Naltrexone may be more effective for methamphetamine use disorder in individuals with lower executive function (EF). This suggests cognitive assessments could improve treatment prediction beyond traditional measures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Opioid receptor antagonists like naltrexone show promise for substance use disorders.
- Naltrexone's efficacy may involve enhancing connectivity between reward and executive function systems.
- The moderating role of executive function in naltrexone's effects remained unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if executive function (EF) moderates naltrexone's impact on methamphetamine craving and subjective responses.
- To assess the clinical utility of EF in predicting treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Thirty individuals with methamphetamine use disorder underwent neurocognitive assessments.
- A randomized, double-blind, cross-over design compared naltrexone and placebo.
- Participants received intravenous methamphetamine and reported subjective responses post-infusion.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction between EF and medication revealed naltrexone reduced drug craving and subjective effects more in individuals with low EF.
- These findings persisted after controlling for cognitive functioning, baseline responses, and use severity.
- Naltrexone's impact on craving and subjective drug effects was notably greater in participants with lower executive function.
Conclusions:
- Naltrexone may be particularly beneficial for methamphetamine-dependent individuals with impaired executive function.
- Neuropsychological assessments, specifically EF, could offer predictive clinical utility beyond standard substance use severity measures.
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