1
|
Ford AI, Minley K, Martin J, Hudson M, Snider K, Bacani R, Smith R, Phillips G, Vassar M. Gender disparities in neuropsychological assessment research in drug abuse populations: A systematic review. Clin Neuropsychol 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38378445 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2024.2315741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Objective: To systematically review the literature on the neurocognitive effects of drug use to determine if there are significant gender differences. Methods: In April 2023, we conducted a broad search in MEDLINE (via PubMed), PsycINFO, and Embase for original research studies that used objective neuropsychological assessment to evaluate neurocognition in persons with drug use. Data extraction was performed in a masked, duplicate fashion. Results: Our initial search returned 22,430 records, of which 273 articles were included in our analysis. We found significant underrepresentation of women as participants in the studies. Twenty-one percent of studies had exclusively male participants; when women were included, they averaged only 23% of the sample. Only 49 studies sufficiently documented an analysis of their results by gender; due to the heterogeneity in study characteristics, no conclusions about cognitive differences between women and men could be made. Conclusions: Women are significantly underrepresented in the research on cognition in drug use. Increased efforts to include more women participants and consistent analysis and reporting of data for potential gender differences will be required to close this gap in knowledge, which may lead to improved substance abuse treatment approaches for women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Ito Ford
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Kirstien Minley
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Josie Martin
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Madeline Hudson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Kelsey Snider
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Rigel Bacani
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Riley Smith
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Gunnar Phillips
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Matt Vassar
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Psederska E, Vassileva J. Neurocognitive Impulsivity in Opiate Users at Different Lengths of Abstinence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1236. [PMID: 36674000 PMCID: PMC9859339 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of length of abstinence on decision making (impulsive choice) and response inhibition (impulsive action) in former opiate users (OU). Participants included 45 OU in early remission [0−12 months of abstinence], 68 OU in sustained remission [>12 months of abstinence], and 68 control participants. Decision making was assessed with the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT), and the Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ). Response inhibition was examined with the Stop Signal Task (SST), and the Go/No-Go Task (GNG). Results revealed group differences in decision making under risk (CGT) and ambiguity (IGT), where control participants displayed better decision making compared to OU in early remission. Both groups of former OU were also characterized by higher discounting of delayed rewards (MCQ). Regression analyses revealed minimal effects of length of abstinence on performance on decision-making tasks and no effects on delay discounting. In addition, both OU groups showed reduced action inhibition (GNG) relative to controls and there were no group differences in action cancellation (SST). Length of abstinence had no effect on response inhibition. Overall, our findings suggest that neurocognitive function may not fully recover even with protracted abstinence, which should be addressed by relapse prevention and cognitive remediation programs for OU.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Psederska
- Bulgarian Addictions Institute, 93 Antim I Str., 1303 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Department of Cognitive Science and Psychology, New Bulgarian University, 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Jasmin Vassileva
- Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23219, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23219, USA
| |
Collapse
|