Cognitive effects of methamphetamine in humans: separating fact from hysteria (222.3)

Abstract

This talk provides a critical review of findings from recent research investigating the impact of recreational methamphetamine (MA) use on human cognition. Included in the discussion are findings from studies that have assessed the acute and long‐term effects of MA on several domains of cognition. In addition, relevant neuroimaging data are reviewed in an effort to better understand neural mechanisms underlying MA‐related effects on cognitive functioning. In general, the data on acute effects show that MA improves cognitive performance in selected domains. Regarding long‐term effects on cognitive performance and brain‐imaging measures, statistically significant differences between MA users and control participants have been observed on a minority of measures. More importantly, however, the clinical significance of these findings may be limited because cognitive functioning overwhelmingly falls within the normal range when compared against normative data. Despite this, there seems to be a propensity to interpret any cognitive and/or brain difference as a clinically significant abnormality. The implications of this situation are multiple.