A comparison of the cognitive functioning of glue-sniffers and nonsniffers

Chronic solvent abuse. 1. Cognitive sequelae

“…Visual screening problems per 5e have not been reported in the literature but solvent abusers have been found to have improved performance on trail-making tests (Berry et al, 1977) which involve visual scanning skills. It is possible that neuropsychological deficits were not found in the studies by Massengale (1963) and Dodds & Santostefano (1964) due to the shorter time of solvent abuse by the samples than that in the present study.…”

“…However, the studies are inconsistent in their results (Ron 1986). Three studies reported the presence of functional impairments (Berry et al, \911, Tsushima & Towne 1977, Korman et al 1981 while two earlier studies reported no significant results (Massengale 1963, Dodds & Santostefano 1964.…”

“…The literature indicates that if solvent abuse causes brain damage then it seems to be of a progressive nature. Studies reporting subjects inhaling regularly for long periods (more than 18 months) showed decrements in neurological performance (Berry et al 1911, Korman et al 1980, that decreasing scores were related to increasing durations of solvent abuse (Tsushima & Towne 1977), and that subjects who inhaled solvents for short durations (3 months) showed no such decrements in performance (Massengale et al 1963, Dodds & Santostefano 1964. Long-term abusers may well have more impaired cognitive functioning than short-term or sporadic users, as has been found in alcoholics (Parsons 1975).…”

Toluene. A toxicologic review.

“…For boys (12-16 years of age) with 3-42 months of sniffing behind them, no significant differences were revealed by clinical psychological tests 1 (30).…”

Revue de la litterature

“…anormaux chez des sujets intoxiques, Aucune methodologie serieuse n'a preuve qu'il y aurait degenerescence irreversible, bien qu'iI faille parfois plusieurs semaines al'E.E.G. pour revenir a la normale (4,22,9). Une etude comparative, basee sur divers tests psychologiques, ne montre aucune difference significative entre vingt-et-un adolescents pris au hasard dans une ecole publique et douze sujets s'intoxiquant regulierement.…”