Reaction time in relation to the duration of heroin abuse

Abstract

Background and Aims:As a result of long-term heroin abuse we can see impairment of cerebral structures that leads to specific deficits in cognitive and conative area. Reaction time(RT) is an interval between reception of the certain stimulus and movement execution, as a response to received stimulus. It includes unharmed perceptive functions, attention, concentra- tion and psychomotor coordination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heroin abuse on RT.Method:90 heroin addicts, divided in tree groups, regarding to abuse duration, were included in study. Reaction time was estimated by specially designed computer program, based on the modified Donders's model of reaction time.Results:Averige RT increase in corelation to duration of heroin addictionResults have shown that heroin abuse is connected with the prolongation of simple and choice reaction time, in both visual and auditory modality. Also, there is significant relation between prolongation of choice reaction time and duration of heroin abuse.Conclusion:Heroin abuse duration is related to decrease of psychomotor speed and impairment of psychomotor coordination.

Gambling disorder: Association between duration of illness, clinical, and neurocognitive variables

“…In the case of alcohol and other substance use disorders, studies have suggested that longer duration of alcohol use disorder (AUD), methamphetamine use disorder, and heroin use are correlated with more cognitive deficits. This is particularly true for response inhibition, reaction time, and cognitive flexibility (Laloyaux et al., 2012; Martinovic-Mitrovic et al., 2008; Monterosso, Aron, Cordova, Xu, & London, 2005). Moreover, research in AUD suggested that early onset of problems with alcohol is associated with stronger genetic susceptibility and poorer treatment outcome (Babor et al., 1992; Carpenter & Hasin, 2001; Cloninger, 1987; Schuckit et al., 1995).…”