SY13-2-3 * METHAMPHETAMINE ABUSE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN CHINA

Abstract

Introduction. Chronic methamphetamine use associates with cognitive impairments and bad psychological wellbeing. Method. To verify the consequences of chronic MA use, 54 MA addicts and 58 healthy controls completed the cognitive assessment battery (the CogState), WHO-quality of life instrument (QOL), Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale (SASS). At the end of 6 month, the cognitive function was followed. Twenty-eight MA addicts and 26 demographic matched healthy controls took a brain scan by fMRI when they were conducting the Stroop Task. Result. Most MA addicts (74.1%) had more than one psychiatric symptom. MA users had lower scores in the SASS (t = 3.13, P = 0.002), QOL (t = 3.70, P < 0.001). In the tasks of International Shopping List (ISL), the Social Emotional Cognition (SEC), the Continuous Paired Association Learning (CPAL), Two-back, and the Groton Maze Learning (GML) the MA addicts performed worse (P < 0.05). After 6 month abstinent, MA addicts' performance were improved in the ISL, SEC, and GML (P < 0.01). FMRI analysis revealed that in the incongruence condition the abstinent MA users showed less activation in left precuneus, cingulate cortex, and bilateral cerebellum anterior lobe (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Chromic MA use is harmful to overall cognitive function, brain activation and psychological wellbeing, while some cognitive impairment could recovery after abstinent.