Does chronic use of amphetamine-type stimulants impair interference control? – A meta-analysis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

In substance use and addiction, inhibitory control is key to ignoring triggers, withstanding craving and maintaining abstinence. In amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) users, most research focused on behavioral inhibition, but largely neglected the equally important subdomain of cognitive interference control. Given its crucial role in managing consumption, we investigated the relationship between interference control and chronic ATS use in adults. A database search (Pubmed & Web of Science) and relevant reviews were used to identify eligible studies. Effect sizes were estimated with random effects models. Subgroup, meta-regression, and sensitivity analyses explored heterogeneity in effect sizes. We identified 61 studies (53 datasets) assessing interference control in 1873 ATS users and 1905 controls. Findings revealed robust small effect sizes for ATS-related deficits in interference control, which were mainly seen in methamphetamine, as compared to MDMA users. The differential effects are likely due to tolerance-induced dopaminergic deficiencies (presumably most pronounced in methamphetamine users). Similarities between different ATS could be due to noradrenergic deficiencies; but elucidating their functional role in ATS users requires further/more research.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number105020
JournalNeuroscience and biobehavioral reviews
Volume146
Early online date26 Dec 2022
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 36581170
ORCID /0000-0002-2989-9561/work/146788812
WOS 000975781100001

Keywords

Keywords

  • inhibition, interference control, MDMA, methamphetamine, stimulant use, Stimulant use, Methamphetamine, Inhibition, Interference control, Mdma, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Dopamine, Humans, Amphetamine, Amphetamine-Related Disorders, Adult, Substance-Related Disorders