The limited impact that cocaine use patterns have on neurocognitive functioning in individuals with cocaine use disorder.

It is well-documented in the literature that cocaine use is associated with neurocognitive impairment. The manner in which patterns of cocaine use, such as years of use, recent use over the past month, and daily amount of cocaine use, moderate neurocognition has been studied in a relatively piecemeal manner. Hence, the purpose of the study was to evaluate whether cocaine use patterns modulate neurocognition in individuals with cocaine use disorder.

The relationship between premorbid IQ and neurocognitive functioning in individuals with cocaine use disorders.

Objective: To determine whether premorbid IQ mediates performance on neurocognitive tests in individuals diagnosed with cocaine use disorder (CUD).

Method: Recently abstinent cocaine users (N = 113) completed measures sensitive to the effects of cocaine on cognition: Conners' Continuous Performance Task-II (CPT-II), n-back working memory test, and Hopkins Verbal Learning Task-Revised (HVLT-R). Premorbid IQ was calculated using the Oklahoma Premorbid Intelligence Estimate, which integrates scores from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III and demographic variables.

Short-term, low-dose varenicline administration enhances information processing speed in methamphetamine-dependent users.

Unlabelled: Long-term, high-dose methamphetamine (METH) use is associated with decrements in neurocognition and, given the association between impaired neurocognition and poorer treatment outcomes in individuals dependent on alcohol and drugs, it is considered to be a neglected area of critical concern. The objective of this study was to determine whether varenicline, a partial agonist at α4β2- and a full agonist at α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, enhances attention/information processing speed, episodic memory, and working memory in non-treatment seeking METH-dependent participants. Twenty-six participants were randomly assigned to receive oral placebo or oral varenicline (titrated up to 1 mg) over 5 days during three separate inpatient phases, and 17 completed each inpatient phase.

Preliminary findings of the effects of rivastigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on working memory in cocaine-dependent volunteers.

Long-term cocaine use is a risk factor for the onset of neurocognitive impairment. This study sought to determine whether the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine could improve neurocognitive performance in cocaine-dependent individuals. Cocaine-dependent individuals who were not seeking treatment at the time of enrollment in the study were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n=16), rivastigmine 3mg (n=13), or rivastigmine 6mg (n=12).