Neuropsychological effects associated with recreational cocaine use

Article

Soar, K., Mason, Colette, Potton, A. and Dawkins, L. 2012. Neuropsychological effects associated with recreational cocaine use. Psychopharmacology. 222 (4), pp. 633-643.
AuthorsSoar, K., Mason, Colette, Potton, A. and Dawkins, L.
Abstract

Rationale: Recent evidence suggests that recreational cocaine use is on the increase, with the UK reporting one of the highest levels of use in the EU (EMCDDA, 2010). Nevertheless, very few studies have addressed the neuropsychological effects associated with non-dependent recreational cocaine use.
Objectives: The current study aimed to assess whether recreational cocaine users show neuropsychological deficits on a battery of tests, previously shown to be sensitive to cocaine dependent and psychosis-prone individuals. Schizotypal traits were also measured.
Methods: Recreational cocaine users (n=17) were compared with controls (n=24) on drug use patterns, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Brief Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ-B) and four neuropsychological tasks: spatial working memory, Intra/extra dimensional set-shifting, the Stocking of Cambridge, and the Rapid Visual Processing.
Results: Relative to controls, recreational cocaine users produced significantly more errors on the intra/extra dimensional set shift task and completed fewer stages; made significantly more 6 box stage errors on the spatial working memory task; and made significantly more errors and fewer hits, with overall poorer detection rates on the rapid visual processing task. Recreational cocaine users reported significantly higher scores on the cognitive-perceptual and disorganised thinking SPQ-B subscales and total SPQ-B scores compared to controls.
Conclusions: Recreational cocaine users displayed impairments on tasks tapping sustained attention, attentional shifting and spatial memory and reported higher schizotypal trait expression. These findings are consistent with the emerging literature suggesting subtle cognitive deficits, putatively reflecting underlying dopaminergic dysfunction, in non-dependent, recreational cocaine users.

Keywordscocaine; recreational drug use; neuropsychology; schizotypy
JournalPsychopharmacology
Journal citation222 (4), pp. 633-643
ISSN1432-2072
Year2012
Accepted author manuscript
License
CC BY-ND
Web address (URL)http://hdl.handle.net/10552/1466
Publication dates
Print29 Feb 2012
Publication process dates
Deposited05 Mar 2012
Additional information

Citation:
Soar, K., Mason, C., Potton, A. and Dawkins, L. (2012) ‘Neuropsychological effects associated with recreational cocaine use’. Psychopharmacology, Online First™ 29 February 2012, DOI 10.1007/s00213-012-2666-4.

Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/85z79

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
2012_Soar_etal_Neuropsychological_effects_cocaine.pdf
License: CC BY-ND

  • 295
    total views
  • 402
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 3
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The influence of body language and expected competency on gaze behaviour while forming an impression of a tennis player
Buscombe, R., Potton, A., Volskis, L., Papageorgiou, A. and Greenlees, L. 2021. The influence of body language and expected competency on gaze behaviour while forming an impression of a tennis player. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 19 (4), pp. 551-563. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2020.1739109
Smoking amongst adults experiencing homelessness: a systematic review of prevalence rates, interventions and the barriers and facilitators to quitting and staying quit
Soar, K., Dawkins, L., Robson, D. and Cox, S. 2020. Smoking amongst adults experiencing homelessness: a systematic review of prevalence rates, interventions and the barriers and facilitators to quitting and staying quit. Journal of Smoking Cessation. 15 (2), pp. 94-108. https://doi.org/10.1017/jsc.2020.11
Ayahuasca’s ‘afterglow’: improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in ayahuasca drinkers
Murphy-Beiner, A. and Soar, K. 2020. Ayahuasca’s ‘afterglow’: improved mindfulness and cognitive flexibility in ayahuasca drinkers. Psychopharmacology. 237, p. 1161–1169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05445-3
Jigsaw Recovery: The Spatio-temporalities of Alcohol Abuse and Recovery in a Non-interventionist, Peer-led Service
Kougiali, Z., Soar, K., Pytlik, A., Brown, J., Wozniak, K., Nsumba, F., Wilkins, T., Oliva, E., Osunsanya, S., Clarke, C., Casalotti, S. and Pendry, B. 2019. Jigsaw Recovery: The Spatio-temporalities of Alcohol Abuse and Recovery in a Non-interventionist, Peer-led Service. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly. 38 (2), pp. 165-183. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347324.2019.1686960
Nicotine absorption from e-cigarettes over 12 months
Soar, K., Kimber, C., McRobbie, H. and Dawkins, L.E. 2018. Nicotine absorption from e-cigarettes over 12 months. Addictive Behaviors. 91, pp. 102-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.07.019
Self-titration by experienced e-cigarette users: blood nicotine delivery and subjective effects (Study Data)
Dawkins, L., Kimber, C., Doig, Mira, Feyerabend, Colin and Corcoran, O. 2018. Self-titration by experienced e-cigarette users: blood nicotine delivery and subjective effects (Study Data). The University of East London. https://doi.org/10.15123/DATA.00000223
Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS): no longer legal, not always highs
Turner, J. and Soar, K. 2017. Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS): no longer legal, not always highs. University & College Counselling. 2017 (March), pp. 16-21.
Investigating the effects of caffeine on executive functions using traditional Stroop and a new ecologically-valid virtual reality task, the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©)
Soar, K., Chapman, E., Sivakuma, N., Jansari, A.S. and Turner, J. 2016. Investigating the effects of caffeine on executive functions using traditional Stroop and a new ecologically-valid virtual reality task, the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©). Appetite. 105, pp. 156-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.05.021
Day 1. Free Communications – Psychology (Session 2): The influence of body language and expected competency on gaze behaviour while forming an initial impression of a tennis player.
Buscombe, R., Potton, A., Volskis, Lukas, Papageorgiou, Andrea and Greenlees, Iain 2015. Day 1. Free Communications – Psychology (Session 2): The influence of body language and expected competency on gaze behaviour while forming an initial impression of a tennis player. Journal of Sports Sciences. 33 (sup1), pp. s13-s16.
Alcohol gel ingestion amongst homeless Eastern and Central Europeans in London: assessing the effects on cognitive functioning and psychological health
Soar, K., Papaioannou, G. and Dawkins, L. 2016. Alcohol gel ingestion amongst homeless Eastern and Central Europeans in London: assessing the effects on cognitive functioning and psychological health. Substance Use & Misuse. 51 (10), pp. 1274-1282. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2016.1168441
The Effects of E-Cigarette Visual Appearance on Craving and Withdrawal Symptoms in Abstinent Smokers
Dawkins, L., Munafo, Marcus, Christoforou, Gina, Olumegbon, Naomi and Soar, Kirstie 2015. The Effects of E-Cigarette Visual Appearance on Craving and Withdrawal Symptoms in Abstinent Smokers. Psychology of Addictive Behaviours. 30 (1), pp. 101-105. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000112
Recreational cocaine use is associated with attenuated latent inhibition
Soar, K., Dawkins, Lynne, Page, Frederick and Wooldridge, Joseph 2015. Recreational cocaine use is associated with attenuated latent inhibition. Addictive Behaviors. 50, pp. 34-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.06.010
Acute electronic cigarette use: nicotine delivery and subjective effects in regular users
Dawkins, L. and Corcoran, O. 2014. Acute electronic cigarette use: nicotine delivery and subjective effects in regular users. Psychopharmacology. 231 (2), pp. 401-407. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-3249-8
Problematic and non-problematic ecstasy (MDMA) usage : cognitive and psychopathological aspects
Soar, K. 2005. Problematic and non-problematic ecstasy (MDMA) usage : cognitive and psychopathological aspects. PhD Thesis University of East London School of Psychology https://doi.org/10.15123/PUB.3408
First versus second generation electronic cigarettes: predictors of choice and effects on urge to smoke and withdrawal symptoms
Dawkins, L., Kimber, Catherine, Panwanesarasa, Yasothani and Soar, K. 2014. First versus second generation electronic cigarettes: predictors of choice and effects on urge to smoke and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction. 110 (4), pp. 669-677.
Brain responses to audiovisual speech mismatch in infants are associated with individual differences in looking behaviour
Kushnerenko, E., Tomalski, P., Ballieux, H., Ribeiro, Helena, Potton, A., Axelsson, Emma L., Murphy, Elizabeth and Moore, D. 2013. Brain responses to audiovisual speech mismatch in infants are associated with individual differences in looking behaviour. European Journal of Neuroscience. 38 (9), pp. 3363-3369.
Brain responses and looking behavior during audiovisual speech integration in infants predict auditory speech comprehension in the second year of life
Kushnerenko, E., Tomalski, P., Ballieux, H., Potton, A., Birtles, D., Frostick, C. and Moore, D. 2013. Brain responses and looking behavior during audiovisual speech integration in infants predict auditory speech comprehension in the second year of life. Frontiers in Psychology. 4 (432).
Vaping’ profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users
Dawkins, L. 2013. Vaping’ profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users. UEL Research and Knowledge Exchange Conference 2013. University of East London, London 26 Jun 2013 London University of East London.
‘Vaping’ profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users
Dawkins, L., Turner, J., Roberts, A. and Soar, K. 2013. ‘Vaping’ profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users. Addiction. 108 (6), pp. 1115-1125. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12150
Nicotine derived from the electronic cigarette improves time-based prospective memory in abstinent smokers
Dawkins, L., Turner, J. and Crowe, Eadaoin 2013. Nicotine derived from the electronic cigarette improves time-based prospective memory in abstinent smokers. Psychopharmacology. 227 (3), pp. 377-384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-2983-2
Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment
Jansari, A., Froggatt, Daniel, Edginton, Trudi and Dawkins, L. 2012. Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment. Addiction. 108 (5), pp. 977-984.
Water consumption, not expectancies about water consumption, affects cognitive performance in adults
Edmonds, C., Crombie, Rosanna, Baillieux, Haiko, Gardner, Mark R and Dawkins, L. 2013. Water consumption, not expectancies about water consumption, affects cognitive performance in adults. Appetite. 60, pp. 148-153.
Relapse to smoking during unaided cessation: clinical, cognitive, and motivational predictors
Powell, Jane H, Dawkins, L., West, Robert, Powell, John F and Pickering, Alan 2010. Relapse to smoking during unaided cessation: clinical, cognitive, and motivational predictors. Psychopharmacology. 212 (4), pp. 537-549.
The electronic-cigarette: effects on desire to smoke, withdrawal symptoms and cognition
Dawkins, L., Turner, J., Hasna, Surrayyah and Soar, K. 2012. The electronic-cigarette: effects on desire to smoke, withdrawal symptoms and cognition. Addictive Behaviors. 37 (8), pp. 970-973.
The effects of cigarette smoking and abstinence on auditory verbal learning
Soar, K., Dawkins, L., Begum, H. and Parrott, A.C. 2008. The effects of cigarette smoking and abstinence on auditory verbal learning. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 23 (7), pp. 621-627.
Attributions for psychobiological changes in ecstasy/MDMA and other polydrug users
Soar, K., Parrott, A.C. and Turner, J. 2009. Attributions for psychobiological changes in ecstasy/MDMA and other polydrug users. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 23 (7), pp. 745-758.
Effects of nicotine and alcohol on affective responses to emotionally toned film clips
Dawkins, L. and Powell, J. 2011. Effects of nicotine and alcohol on affective responses to emotionally toned film clips. Psychopharmacology. 216 (2), pp. 197-205.
Expectation of having consumed caffeine can improve performance and mood
Dawkins, L., Shahzad, Fatima-Zahra, Ahmed, Suada S. and Edmonds, C. 2011. Expectation of having consumed caffeine can improve performance and mood. Appetite. 57 (3), pp. 597-600.
Tackling teenage obesity: literature review and project proposal
Mcdermott, M. and Potton, A. 2008. Tackling teenage obesity: literature review and project proposal. Desk research report for the Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust, London School of Psychology, University of East London.
Smoking, reward responsiveness, and response inhibition: tests of an incentive motivational model
Powell, Jane H., Dawkins, L. and Davis, Robert E. 2002. Smoking, reward responsiveness, and response inhibition: tests of an incentive motivational model. Biological Psychiatry. 51 (2), pp. 151-163.
Cognitive and psychological correlates of smoking abstinence, and predictors of successful cessation
Powell, Jane H., Pickering, Alan D., Dawkins, L., West, Robert and Powell, John F. 2004. Cognitive and psychological correlates of smoking abstinence, and predictors of successful cessation. Addictive Behaviors. 29 (7), pp. 1407-1426.
Patterns of change in withdrawal symptoms, desire to smoke, reward motivation and response inhibition across 3 months of smoking abstinence
Dawkins, L., Powell, Jane H., Pickering, Alan, Powell, John and West, Robert 2009. Patterns of change in withdrawal symptoms, desire to smoke, reward motivation and response inhibition across 3 months of smoking abstinence. Addiction. 104 (5), pp. 850-858.
A double-blind placebo controlled experimental study of nicotine: I - Effects on incentive motivation
Dawkins, L., Powell, Jane H., West, Robert, Powell, John and Pickering, Alan 2006. A double-blind placebo controlled experimental study of nicotine: I - Effects on incentive motivation. Psychopharmacology. 189 (3), pp. 355-367.
The effects of smoking and abstinence on experience of happiness and sadness in response to positively valenced, negatively valenced, and neutral film clips
Dawkins, L., Acaster, Sarah and Powell, Jane H. 2007. The effects of smoking and abstinence on experience of happiness and sadness in response to positively valenced, negatively valenced, and neutral film clips. Addictive Behaviors. 32 (2), pp. 425-431.
A double-blind placebo controlled experimental study of nicotine: II - Effects on response inhibition and executive functioning
Dawkins, L., Powell, Jane H., West, Robert, Powell, John and Pickering, Alan 2007. A double-blind placebo controlled experimental study of nicotine: II - Effects on response inhibition and executive functioning. Psychopharmacology. 190 (4), pp. 457-467.