Temporal changes in cognitive functions and associated factors among stimulant users: a 12-month, prospective study
Albert Kar Kin Chung1, Cheuk Yin Tse2, Y Doug Dong2
1Department of Psychiatry, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong. chungkka@hku.hk.
Scientific Reports
|October 10, 2025
Summary
Stimulant users showed initial cognitive declines but no further deterioration over one year. Cognitive function was linked more to demographics than stimulant use severity or patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Cognitive impairments are frequently observed in stimulant users.
- Longitudinal data on cognitive changes in this population are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate 12-month changes in cognitive functioning among active stimulant users.
- To explore factors associated with these cognitive changes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective longitudinal study of 76 adults with recent stimulant use.
- Cognitive function assessed quarterly using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB).
- Linear mixed-effects models analyzed cognitive trajectories and associated factors.
Main Results:
- Participants had stable stimulant use over 12 months.
- MoCA scores were below clinical cut-offs at baseline but did not decline further.
- FAB scores showed no systematic temporal changes.
- Female sex and older age were associated with lower MoCA and FAB scores.
- Stimulant use disorder severity and duration of use were not associated with cognitive outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Active stimulant users experienced modest baseline cognitive deficits, with no significant deterioration over one year.
- Demographic factors, particularly age and sex, were more strongly associated with cognitive performance than substance use severity.
- Further research may require more sensitive cognitive measures to detect subtle changes in stimulant users.
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