Neuropsychological Assessment of Current and Past Crack Cocaine Users

Background: Cognitive changes due to crack cocaine consumption remain unclear Methods: For clarification, 55 subjects were assigned to three groups: control group, crack cocaine current users, and ex-users. Participants were submitted to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and tasks evaluating executive functioning and verbal memory Mood state was also measured. Intergroup comparisons were carried out. Results: Control group performance on the MMSE was better than that of users and ex-users. Verbal memory performance for logical memory of users was impaired. Ex-users scored lower on DSST and Trail Making Test (Part B). Conclusion: Chronic crack cocaine use seems to disrupt general cognitive functioning (MMSE), verbal memory, and attentional resources, but findings suggest that some of these effects could be reversed by abstinence.

CAPES - Ph.D. Scholarship

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Psychopharmacology Incentive Fund Association (AFIP)

Psychopharmacology Incentive Fund Association (AFIP)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Research in the State of Sao Paulo FAPESP[Process 04/07153-8]