Socio-cognitive functioning in stimulant polysubstance users

Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Sara L KrollBoris B Quednow

Abstract

Using more than one psychotropic substance is accompanied by increased risks for psychiatric and physical disorders. Accordingly, deficits in basal cognitive functions have been consistently associated with polysubstance use (PSU), whereas little is known about potential impairments in more complex socio-cognitive skills, which are relevant for daily-life functioning. Therefore, we investigated the effects of toxicological validated stimulant PSU on social cognition under consideration of potential cumulative effects. We compared socio-cognitive performances of 47 individuals with stimulant PSU with 59 matched stimulant-naïve controls using the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET) and the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC). Additionally, social network size was assessed by the Social Network Questionnaire (SNQ). Hair and urine testing was employed to categorize three PSU subgroups (3, 4, and ≥5 substances used) and to ensure drug abstinence in controls. Individuals with stimulant PSU showed lower emotional empathy (MET) and a smaller social network (SNQ) compared to controls (both with linear trends for increasing number of used substances: p < .05). In contrast, cognitive empathy (MET and MASC) was largely unaffect...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 19, 2021·Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews·Lauren HanegraafAntonio Verdejo-Garcia
Jun 15, 2021·Frontiers in Psychiatry·James M BjorkF Gerard Moeller
Dec 19, 2021·Stress and Health : Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress·Yiran Zhao, Chao Wu

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.