Verbal learning impairment in adolescents with methamphetamine use disorder: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Methamphetamine (MA) use has been shown to be associated with deficits in impulsivity, verbal learning, and working memory. Additionally, methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) is related to various brain changes, especially in adolescent users who might be more vulnerable to detrimental effects on brain development. However, little is known about the relationship between adolescent MA use and cognitive impairment. This cross-sectional study aims to explore how the presence of a MUD in adolescents is related to impairments of verbal memory, inhibition, and alertness. Methods N = 18 psychiatric outpatients with MUD were matched in terms of depressivity, age, and gender to n = 18 adolescents with other substance use disorders (SUDs), as well as n = 18 controls without SUDs. We compared these three groups on the Verbal Learning and Memory Task (VLMT), and the alertness and go/noGo subtests of the Test of Attentional Performance (TAP). Additionally, Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate whether cognitive functioning was directly associated with frequency of past year MA use. Results The three groups differed significantly in their verbal learning performance (H (2) = 11.7, p = .003, ηp2 = .19), but not in short-term memory, inhibition, cued recall, or alertness. Post hoc tests revealed significant differences in verbal learning between the MA using group and the control group without a SUD (U = 56.5, p = .001, ηp2 = .31). Frequency of past year MA use correlated negatively with short-term memory (ρ = −.25, p < .01) and verbal learning (ρ = −.41, p < .01). No other cognitive variables correlated significantly with MA use frequency. Significant p-values were considered significant after Bonferroni correction. Conclusions Adolescent MUD outpatients with regular MA use show specific impairment in verbal learning performance, but not in other basal cognitive functions when compared to adolescents without a MUD. Verbal learning and short-term memory performance is negatively associated with the frequency of MA use. Future research should apply longitudinal designs to investigate long-term effects of methamphetamine and reversibility of these effects on cognitive functioning.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of health, functional, and cognitive outcomes in young people who use methamphetamine

“…In addition, Lyoo and colleagues (2015) found no differences between adolescents and adults with methamphetamine dependence (Lyoo et al, 2015), suggesting inhibitory control deficits may not be age dependent. In contrast, Basedow and colleagues (2021) found no differences in go/noGo performance between YPM with methamphetamine use disorder, those with other substance use disorders, and people with no substance use disorder (Basedow et al, 2021). Notably this was one of the few studies controlling for both the acute effects of methamphetamine and the presence of mood symptoms at the time of testing.…”

“…Studies investigating verbal learning and memory predominantly used the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), including its German-language equivalent (VLMT). Results were mixed, with one study finding no differences between YPM and those who did not use methamphetamine (G. King et al, 2010a), one study reporting poorer performance in people with both cannabis and methamphetamine use disorder compared to methamphetamine use alone (Cuzen et al, 2015), and one reporting poorer performance in YPM with methamphetamine use disorder compared to both people with other substance use disorders and those with no substance use disorders (Basedow et al, 2021). All participants in Cuzen et al (2015) tested positive for methamphetamine on testing day, whereas Basedow and colleagues (2021) controlled for both acute intoxication and mood symptoms.…”

Effect of aerobic exercise on brain metabolite profiles in mice models of methamphetamine addiction: LC-MS-based metabolomics study

“…Its high lipid solubility enables it to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reach the brain rapidly [5], causing neurotoxicity such as high temperature, neuroin ammation, and oxidative stress, resulting in brain and central nervous system damage [6][7][8][9]. Clinical trials have observed that MA abuse can lead to reactions such as hypertension, emotional agitation, behavioral disinhibition, and anxiety in individuals [10][11][12][13]. This is accompanied by extremely complex and intense withdrawal symptoms [14], such as anhedonia [15], aggression [16], sleep disturbance [17], and strong cravings after drug discontinuation [18].…”

Effects of glycogen synthase kinase-3β activity inhibition on cognitive, behavioral, and hippocampal ultrastructural deficits in adulthood associated with adolescent methamphetamine exposure

“…Adolescence is a special period of susceptibility to drug abuse, and METH use is often initiated during this period ( Ye et al, 2014 ). Although a large number of METH users are adults, the number of adolescent METH users has increased rapidly over the past decade ( Nazari et al, 2020 ; Basedow et al, 2021 ). Adolescence is also a substantial period of brain development, making this an especially vulnerable period for neurotoxic damage ( Luikinga et al, 2018 ).…”