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Updated: Oct 17, 2025

A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Cognition during active methamphetamine use versus remission
Marilyn Huckans1,2,3,4, Stephen Boyd5, Grant Moncrief1,2,6,7
1Research & Development Service, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA.
Objective:
To evaluate whether cognitive performance in adults with active methamphetamine use (MA-ACT) differs from cognitive performance in adults in remission from MA use disorder (MA-REM) and adults without a history of substance use disorder (CTLs).
Method:
MA-ACT (n = 36), MA-REM (n = 48), and CTLs (n = 62) completed the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB).
Results:
The MA-ACT group did not perform significantly worse than CTLs on any NAB Index. The MA-REM group performed significantly (p < 0.050) worse than CTLs on the NAB Memory Index. The MA-ACT group performed significantly better than CTLs and the MA-REM group on the Executive Functions Index.
Conclusions:
Some cognitive deficits are apparent during remission from MA use, but not during active use; this may result in clinical challenges for adults attempting to maintain recovery and continue with treatment.
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