Screening for Cognitive Dysfunction in Amphetamine Users in Saudi Arabia; a Case-control Investigation Using...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Amphetamine abuse is a global concern.
• Cognitive deficits are common in amphetamine users.
• The impact of usage duration and quantity on cognitive decline requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess cognitive functioning in amphetamine users in Saudi Arabia.
• To identify correlates of cognitive performance related to amphetamine use duration and amount.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study comparing amphetamine users (n=50) and controls (n=50).
• Utilized an Arabic adaptation of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE).
• Controlled for psychiatric and sociodemographic variables.

Main Results:

• Amphetamine users showed poorer performance in attention, memory, language, fluency, and visuospatial domains compared to controls.
• Heavy and prolonged amphetamine use correlated with worse cognitive outcomes.
• Lower doses of amphetamine were not associated with significant cognitive impairment.

Conclusions:

• Amphetamine use is associated with significant cognitive impairment in the Saudi Arabian population.
• Cognitive deficits in amphetamine users necessitate tailored therapeutic interventions.
• Findings highlight the dose- and duration-dependent nature of amphetamine's neurotoxic effects.