Does chronic use of amphetamine-type stimulants impair interference control? – A meta-analysis. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Opitz, Antje; Petasch, Miriam-Sophie; Klappauf, Regine; Kirschgens, Josephine; Hinz, Julian; Dittmann, Lena; Dathe, Anthea S.; Quednow, Boris B.; Beste, Christian; Stock, Ann-Kathrin
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 146(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: inhibition -- interference control -- MDMA -- methamphetamine -- stimulant use; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

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. Highlights: Interference control is crucial for managing substance use and abstinence. Chronic amphetamine-type stimulant use is linked to interference control deficits. Chronic methamphetamine use results in larger deficits than MDMA use. These deficits likely arise from chronically reduced dopamine rather than serotonin. The functional role of norepinephrine after chronic use requires further research.