Neuropsychological Performance in Polyconsumer Men Under Treatment. Influence of Age of Onset of Substance Use

Abstract

Neurocognition is a key factor in the development and maintenance of Substance Use Disorders (SUD). However, there are still several aspects that need to be studied in this area. In this study, we elucidate the influence of age of onset of substance use (OSU) on the clinical course and neuropsychological performance of substance use disorder (SUD) patients, as well as to explore the influence of years of education, duration of drug use and premorbid intelligence quotient (IQ) on the cognitive results obtained. An exhaustive neuropsychological battery was used to assess different cognitive domains in 80 male polyconsumers, 41 with earlier OSU (16 years or before: OSU ≤ 16) and 39 with later OSU (17 years or later: OSU ≥ 17). The patients were under treatment with at least 4 months of abstinence confirmed by urinalysis. The OSU ≤ 16 group presented a worse clinical state, as well as a lower premorbid IQ and worse performance in processing speed, visual perception and planning skills. The duration of drug use may account for the differences in planning and processing speed. In this work we discuss the premorbid or acquired nature of the cognitive deficits found.

Intellectual Functioning in In-Patients with Substance Use Disorders: Preliminary Results from a Clinical Mediation Study of Factors Contributing to IQ Variance

“…We fail to find an effect of substance type used or severity of use as found in other previous studies [19-22], even when using a comprehensive severity of use index. However, previous studies have different designs, methods, and study populations, and thus a direct comparison of results is difficult.…”

“…Models of the relationship between SUD and deviant intelligence often comprise factors related to the substances used and user behavior such as age of onset [21, 22], type of substance used or polydrug use [19-22], ongoing or recent substance use [23, 24] along one dimension, and environmental and constitutional factors along another. The latter includes genes and shared environment [25], socioeconomic status [26, 27] and childhood problems, including mental illness, cognitive difficulties and lower academic achievement preceding SUD [28-32].…”

“…Many studies have used parts of standardized IQ tests [19, 22, 35-38], thus providing results that might not reflect global intellectual functioning but rather an area or domain of intellectual functioning. The timing of IQ testing has varied greatly among previous studies, with some only requiring abstinence on the day of testing [27, 39] or within the first days after admission [38].…”

Early Initiation of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) Use Associated with Lowered Cognitive Performance among Individuals with Co-Occurring Opioid and ATS Use Disorders in Malaysia

“…In a recent study on poly-drug users, early onset of substance use (before age 16) was associated with greater cognitive impairments, including lower IQ, deficits in processing speed, visual perception and executive functioning (Capella, Benaiges, and Adan 2015). Poorer verbal memory, visuo-spatial functioning, executive functioning, deficits in attention and processing speed were observed among individuals with early onset alcohol use (before age 25) (Hanson et al 2011, Thoma et al 2011).…”

The age of onset of substance use is related to the coping strategies to deal with treatment in men with substance use disorder

“…Despite welfare programs, patients have a high variability of response to interventions ( Kampman et al, 2007 ) and high rates of relapse ( Suijkerbuijk et al, 2015 ; Witkiewitz & Marlatt, 2004 ). Moreover, the age of onset of substance use (OSU) usually occurs at very early ages and it has been established as a strong predictor to future SUD ( Woodcock, Lundahl & Stoltman, 2015 ) and linked both to worse clinical course and cognitive functioning ( Capella, Benaiges & Adan, 2015 ; Eddie, Epstein & Cohn, 2015 ; Hammond, Mayes & Potenza, 2014 ; Kendler et al, 2013 ) and greater brain alterations ( Elofson, Gongvatana & Carey, 2013 ). Thus, it is necessary to further study the risk factors and course severity in SUD, such as age of OSU, with the aim of improving prevention and treatment strategies according to their characteristics, to make them more effective.…”