Rapid cognitive screening of patients with substance use disorders

Impaired or not impaired: The accuracy of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in detecting cognitive impairment among patients with alcohol use disorder

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairments are common in alcohol use disorder (AUD), but only a few studies have investigated the accuracy of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in this population. We examined the accuracy and precision of the MoCA in detecting cognitive impairment in a sample of patients with AUD. In addition, we investigated whether the MoCA predicts premature discontinuation from treatment.

METHOD

A sample of 126 persons with AUD undergoing treatment in specialist health services were administered the MoCA and a battery of 12 neuropsychological tests. Five cognitive domains were derived from the reference tests. A composite total score from these tests was used as a reference criterion for determining correct and incorrect classifications for the MoCA. We analyzed the optimal cut-off score for the MoCA and the accuracy and agreement of classification between the MoCA and the reference tests.

RESULTS

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyzes yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 (95% CI [0.67, 0.87]). Applying 25 as the cut-off, MoCA sensitivity was 0.77 and specificity 0.62. The PPV was 0.53. The NPV was 0.84. Using a cut-off score of 24 yielded a lower sensitivity 0.60, but specificity was significantly better i.e., 0.79. PPV was 0.68. The NPV was 0.82. Kappa agreement between MoCA and the reference tests was fair to moderate, 0.38 for the cut-off of 25, and 0.44 for the cut-off of 24. MoCA did not predict discontinuation from treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate limitations in the classification accuracy of the MoCA in predicting cognitive impairment in AUD. Achieving the right balance between accurately identifying impaired cases without including too many false positives can be challenging. Further, MoCA does not predict discontinuation from treatment. Overall, the results do not support MoCA as a time-efficient screening instrument.

Effect of long-term inhaled corticosteroids therapy on cognitive function in patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are prominent therapies for managing both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has been noted that cognitive impairment is usually linked to high levels of corticosteroids in the blood.

OBJECTIVE

This investigation aims to ascertain how long-term inhaled corticosteroid treatment affects individuals with bronchial asthma and COPD's cognitive performance.

METHODOLOGY

A total of 139 inpatients diagnosed with COPD and bronchial asthma were enrolled in the study of which 43 were newly diagnosed (group 1), 34 were taking ICS for 0.5-1 year (group 2) and 62 were on long-term ICS, that is, for >2 years (group 3). Patients with a score of at least 24 were considered to have normal cognitive function as prescribed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale.

RESULT

It was observed that 56 patients (90.3%) were on long-term ICS treatment, 25 patients (73.5%) were on intermediate therapy and 27 patients (62.7%) who were newly diagnosed had cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the duration of ICS therapy was significantly associated with a decline in cognitive function.

Aberrance in default mode and executive network activity underlie working memory deficits in addictive disorders: A preliminary, exploratory case-control study

BACKGROUND

Addiction can alter neural processes during rest and cognitive performance. Subjects with addictive disorders exhibit preoccupation and anticipation for the psychoactive substance when idle and cognitive deficits, during tasks.

METHODS

128 channel EEG was recorded in sixty subjects (30, with alcohol, opioid and internet addiction; 30 controls) during rest and while performing working memory task to ascertain underlying differences in cortical activity between the groups while at rest and during performance of the task. Artifactually clean data was then subjected to source analysis using sLORETA software in both the groups.

RESULTS

EEG cortical source analysis in subjects with addictive disorders showed significant activation of areas of Default Mode Network (DMN) and reduced activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC), an area known to be involved in executive function, during performance of task. However, control subjects demonstrated significantly reduced activation in areas of DMN; and increased activation of DLPFC during task performance.

CONCLUSION

Inability to suppress DMN inhibits reallocation of neural resources to areas of executive functioning leading to working memory deficits in subjects with addictive disorder.

The Functional-Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST) to improve rehabilitation outcomes of individuals with substance use disorder: a study protocol for a mixed-method randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with executive function (EF) deficits and sensory modulation dysfunction (SMD). Yet, these deficits are not addressed therapeutically. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Functional-Cognitive and Sensory Treatment (F-CaST) compared to standard care to improve everyday performance and behavior and length of stay at the therapeutic community (TC) in individuals with SUD. In addition, to assess the improvement in EF, sensory modulation, participation, self-efficacy, life satisfaction, and use of strategies within and between groups. Satisfaction with F-CaST will also be assessed.

METHODS

Forty-eight participants from a community of men in a TC, aged 18-45 years will be randomly allocated to (i) F-CaST-(experimental group) providing sensory and EF strategies for improving daily function; (ii) standard care (control group) as provided in the TC. Assessments will be conducted by assessors blind to group allocation at 4 time points: T1- pre-intervention; T2- post-intervention; T3- 1-month follow-up; and T4- 3-month follow-up. Primary outcome measures will be everyday performance, assessed by the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), behavior and length of stay in the TC; secondary outcome measures will assess EF, SMD. Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews will be conducted at T1, T2 and T4.

DISCUSSION

We hypothesize that F-CaST will lead to improved everyday performance and longer length of stay in the TC, compared to the control group. If F-CaST will prove to be effective, cognitive and sensory strategies may be incorporated as an adjunctive intervention in SUD rehabilitation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05647863 Registered on 13 December 2022, https://classic.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT05647863 .

Cognitive impairment as a predictor of long-term psychological distress in patients with polysubstance use disorders: a prospective longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

The association between polysubstance use disorder (pSUD), mental illness, and cognitive impairments is well established and linked to negative outcomes in substance use disorder treatment. However, it remains unclear whether cognitive impairment predicts long-term psychological distress among treatment seeking patients with pSUD. This study aimed to investigate the associations and predictive ability of cognitive impairment on psychological distress one and 5 years after treatment initiation.

METHODS

N = 164 treatment seeking patients with pSUD were sampled at treatment initiation. We examined associations between cognitive impairment according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment® (MoCA®), Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI), and Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult version (BRIEF-A) administered at treatment initiation and psychological distress defined by the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) at treatment initiation, one and five years later. We ran hierarchical logistic regressions to assess the predictive ability of the respective cognitive instruments administered at treatment initiation on psychological distress measured one and five years later including psychological distress at treatment initiation and substance intake at the time-points of the measurements as covariates.

RESULTS

The main results was that MoCA® and BRIEF-A predicted psychological distress at years one and five, but BRIEF-A lost predictive power when accounting for psychological distress at treatment initiation. WASI predicted psychological distress at year one, but not at year five.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from MoCA® and WASI was found to be less sensitive to the effect of psychological distress than BRIEF-A. Cognitive impairment at treatment initiation may hold predictive value on later psychological distress, yet its clinical utility is uncertain.

Age-related cognitive decline is accelerated in alcohol use disorder

This study aimed to examine potential cognitive impairments in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), and explore the factors affecting them. We recruited 97 inpatients with AUD, showing superficially normal cognitive function (mini-mental state examination score ≥24) for this study. We assessed cognitive function after a 4-week post-abstinence period using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia-Japanese version (BACS-J). Relationships between BACS-J subcategory/composite raw scores and Z-scores (deviation from standard data in healthy Japanese) and background factors such as age, sex, education, smoking status, mini-mental state examination score, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, severity of depression, alcohol consumption, and laboratory findings were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis showed that the age (p < 0.001) and total bilirubin level (p = 0.014) were worsening factors for the BACS-J composite raw score, whereas education (p < 0.001) was a protective factor. An inverse correlation was apparent between the age and the composite Z-score of the BACS-J (r = -0.431, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified 53 years as the cutoff age for predicting more than -2SD cognitive decline from the normal standard, with a high negative predictive value (95%). Patients with AUD aged ≥53 years showed more pronounced impairments in verbal memory, working memory, verbal fluency, and attention than those younger than 53 years (p < 0.05). These findings clearly demonstrate accelerated age-related cognitive decline in patients with AUD, especially those aged ≥53 years, suggesting the necessity of early intervention in patients with AUD to prevent progressive cognitive impairment and preserve their quality of life.

Alcohol-related dementia

Dementia is one of the leading causes of death both in the UK and worldwide. Approximately 1 million people have been diagnosed with this condition in the UK. Although there are many types of dementia, this article will focus on alcohol-related dementia. Alcohol has become a leading cause of death in the 50-69-year age group in England, and with consumption rising rapidly, there is an increased risk that young and middle-aged people will develop alcohol-related dementia in the future. The aim of this article is to review the evidence base and discuss whether alcohol-related dementia is a sub-class of dementia or a separate entity.

Cognitive impairment in opioid use disorders: Is there a case for use of nootropics?

Opioid Use Disorders (OUDs) are often associated with cognitive impairments, which may lead to an increased risk of relapse. These cognitive deficits do not resolve with abstinence or medication-assisted treatment and may require targeted management. While psychotherapies and neuromodulation techniques have been studied for their effectiveness, they have certain limitations and challenges. Cognition enhancing prescription drugs like donepezil and memantine, which are used in dementias, have shown promise in a small number of studies examining their role in the reversal of opioid-induced cognitive deficits. The authors explore the potential role of nootropics in improvement of cognitive decline associated with OUDs.

Application of the multiphase optimisation strategy (MOST) to optimise HIV prevention targeting people on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) who have cognitive dysfunction: protocol for a MOST study

INTRODUCTION

People who inject drugs (PWID) have remained a contributor to the consistent HIV incidence rates in the US for decades. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a promising biomedical intervention for HIV prevention among individuals at risk for HIV infection, including PWID. However, PWID report the lowest rates of PrEP uptake and adherence among at-risk groups. Tailored HIV prevention interventions must include strategies that compensate for cognitive dysfunction among PWID.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Using the multiphase optimisation strategy, we will be conducting a 16-condition factorial experiment to investigate the effects of four different accommodation strategy components to compensate for cognitive dysfunction among 256 PWID on medication for opioid use disorder. This innovative approach will inform optimisation of a highly effective intervention to enhance PWID's ability to process and utilise HIV prevention content to improve PrEP adherence and HIV risk reduction in a drug treatment setting.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The institutional review board at the University of Connecticut approved this protocol (H22-0122) with an institutional reliance agreement with APT Foundation Inc. All participants are required to sign an informed consent form prior to engaging in any study protocols. The results of this study will be disseminated on national and international platforms through presentations at major conferences and journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05669534.

Cognitive Alterations in Addictive Disorders: A Translational Approach

The cognitive decline in people with substance use disorders is well known and can be found during both the dependence and drug abstinence phases. At the clinical level, cognitive decline impairs the response to addiction treatment and increases dropout rates. It can be irreversible, even after the end of drug abuse consumption. Improving our understanding of the molecular and cellular alterations associated with cognitive decline could be essential to developing specific therapeutic strategies for its treatment. Developing animal models to simulate drug abuse-induced learning and memory alterations is critical to continue exploring this clinical situation. The main aim of this review is to summarize the most recent evidence on cognitive impairment and the associated biological markers in patients addicted to some of the most consumed drugs of abuse and in animal models simulating this clinical situation. The available information suggests the need to develop more studies to further explore the molecular alterations associated with cognitive impairment, with the ultimate goal of developing new potential therapeutic strategies.

The characteristics and treatment outcomes of people with very late onset of problem drinking

BACKGROUND

The characteristics and outcomes of people who begin to experience problems with alcohol later in life are not well understood. This study examines whether people with a very late-onset of problem drinking, defined as occurring after the age of 60, differ in their use of alcohol, mental health functioning, and alcohol treatment outcomes from people with an earlier onset of problem drinking.

METHOD

Seven hundred eighty participants aged 50+ were categorized as either early onset (<25 years, n = 119, 15%), mid-onset (25-39 years, n = 200, 26%), late-onset (40-59 years, n = 376, 48%) or very late-onset problem drinkers (≥60 years, n = 85, 11%). Participants completed measures on alcohol use, mental health, and cognitive functioning.

RESULTS

Eleven percent of participants had very late onset of problem drinking. After controlling for age as a covariate, age of onset of problem drinking was not associated with level of alcohol intake or cognitive functioning, but individuals with very late onset of problem drinking had significantly lower levels of depression and significantly better mental health well-being. Age of onset was not associated with treatment outcomes (i.e., change in alcohol use following treatment or treatment completion).

CONCLUSION

People who first experience problems with alcohol after the age of 60 may have better mental health functioning than people with an earlier age of problem drinking. The results suggest that the age of onset of problem drinking may be a poor predictor of alcohol use severity and treatment outcomes and older adults can benefit from alcohol treatment irrespective of the age problem drinking began.

Performance on Cognitive Screening Tests and Long-Term Substance Use Outcomes in Patients with Polysubstance Use Disorder

INTRODUCTION

Cognitive impairments among patients with substance use disorders are prevalent and associated with adverse treatment outcomes. However, knowledge of the predictive value of broad cognitive screening instruments on long-term treatment outcomes is limited. The present study aimed to examine the predictive value of measures from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment® (MoCA®), Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI), and the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function - Adult version (BRIEF-A) on self-reported long-term substance use and abstinence in patients with polysubstance use disorders (pSUD).

METHODS

A cohort (N = 164) of patients with pSUD who started a new treatment sequence in the Stavanger University Hospital catchment area were recruited and followed prospectively for 5 years. Participants completed neurocognitive testing with the MoCA®, WASI, and BRIEF-A at inclusion and were categorized as cognitively impaired or non-impaired according to recommended cut-off values. The sum score of the items from the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption scale (DUDIT-C) was used as a measure of substance use outcome 1 and 5 years after inclusion. We defined substance abstinence (DUDIT-C = 0) and heavy substance use (DUDIT-C ≥7) to determine whether cognitive impairments measured by the respective instruments were associated with and could predict abstinence and heavy substance use 1 and 5 years after baseline.

RESULTS

At the 1-year follow-up, 54% of the total sample reported total abstinence from substances. Conversely, 31% presented heavy substance use. At 5 years, 64% of the total sample reported abstinence from substances, while 25% presented heavy substance use. The results showed a statistically significant association between cognitive impairment defined from MoCA® and higher continuous scores on DUDIT-C at 1-year follow-up. There were no differences in substance abstinence or heavy substance use between patients with and without cognitive impairment at the 1- and 5-year follow-ups. Furthermore, cognitive impairment did not explain substance abstinence or heavy substance use at the 1- and 5-year follow-ups.

CONCLUSION

Generally, individuals with pSUD may be burdened and lack psychosocial resources to such an extent that cognitive functioning plays a subordinate role in long-term recovery. The present study suggests that results on screening tools assessing broad cognitive domains at treatment initiation have limited clinical value in predicting long-term substance use outcomes. There is a need to establish clinically viable instruments to assess cognitive functions with well-established clinical and ecological validity in the SUD population.

Assessment of cognitive functioning using the Mini Mental State Examination in men with Alcohol and Crack Cocaine Use Disorder

INTRODUCTION

Consumption of substances has been associated with cognitive impairment. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) is an easy-to-apply screening tool used to assess cognitive functions.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the cognitive performance of individuals with alcohol (AUD) and/or crack cocaine use disorder (CUD) and polysubstance use using the MMSE and to investigate the impact of substance use profile and the moderation effect of educational level on MMSE performance.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with 508 adult male inpatients diagnosed with substance use disorders (245 with AUD, 85 with CUD, and 178 with polysubstance use). Cognitive performance was assessed using the MMSE scale (total and composite scores).

RESULTS

Individuals with AUD had worse total MMSE scores and scored worse for all three MMSE components compared to individuals with polysubstance use (p < 0.001, oral/written language comprehension, p < 0.001, attention/memory, and p = 0.007, motor functions). MMSE scores were positively correlated with educational level (p < 0.017), but were not associated with age, recent drug use, or years of drug use. Educational level moderated the impact of substance use on MMSE performance, especially total score and composite language comprehension score. Individuals with a low educational level (≤ 8 years) had worse performance than those with a high educational level (≥ 9 years), mainly in individuals with AUD (p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Individuals with a low educational level and alcohol use are more prone to present cognitive impairment than crack cocaine users, especially involving language aspects. Better-preserved cognitive function could impact treatment adherence and might guide the decision of therapeutic strategies.

The effect of high-intensity interval training on cognitive function in patients with substance use disorder: Study protocol for a two-armed randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Substance use disorder (SUD) is characterized by cognitive impairment, especially executive dysfunction. Executive function is recognized as an important determinant of treatment outcome as it is associated with dropout rate, attendance to therapy and potential relapse after treatment termination. Physical activity can have beneficial effects on cognitive function, but there is still a lack of knowledge regarding potential benefits of aerobic exercise for executive function in SUD treatment. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive function and the subsequent effect on treatment outcome in patients with SUD.

Methods and analysis

This study is a randomized controlled trial, including men and women ≥18 years with diagnosed SUD by ICD-10. The patients will be recruited from the department for inpatient treatment at Blue Cross - Lade Addiction Treatment Center, Trondheim, Norway. Participants will be randomized 1:1 into either HIIT (3x/week) + treatment as usual (TAU), or TAU alone. Study outcomes will be assessed at baseline, after eight weeks of intervention, and at 3- and 12-months follow-up. The primary outcome is to compare the change in executive function (via altered BRIEF-A score, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult) measured between the two study groups after eight weeks. Secondary outcomes include mapping of cognitive function in different subgroups (e.g. type of substance, age, fitness level), collecting self-reported information about quality of life, craving, sleep quality, etc., as well as assessing compliance to TAU and long-term treatment outcome.

Ethics and dissemination

The project was approved by the Regional Ethical Committee and will be performed in accordance with this protocol and the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to inclusion. This project will explore a novel approach to how exercise can be applied in SUD treatment, beyond the well-known effects on physical health. We expect to achieve new knowledge in regard to what extent HIIT can improve cognitive abilities and subsequent treatment outcome in SUD.

Trial registration number

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/NCT05324085.

Association between Vitamin D and Cognitive Deficiency in Alcohol Dependence

There are still not enough findings to elucidate how exactly alcohol use impairs cognitive abilities. Some studies have shown that there is a link between alcohol intake and vitamin D levels, but these findings are inconsistent so further research is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and cognitive impairment in alcohol-dependent individuals. A case-control study was carried out including a total of N = 132 respondents with a medical history of alcoholism, and healthy volunteers. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa) and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) screening tools were used for cognitive status assessment and serum vitamin D levels analysis (blood samples of respondents). Significant difference (p = 0.022), was found in vitamin D levels in the alcohol-dependent group with cognitive deficiency 13.7 ± 9.4 (ng/mL), alcohol-dependent group without cognitive deficiency 19.5 ± 11.2 (ng/mL) and healthy controls 19.9 ± 11.1 (ng/mL), respectively. Furthermore, vitamin D levels were significantly different across all groups based on MoCa (p = 0.016) and ACE-R (p = 0.004) scores. All three groups exhibited vitamin D deficiency. A significant correlation was found between vitamin D deficiency and cognitive impairment, but it yielded no significant difference in alcohol-dependent individuals.

Buprenorphine/naloxone versus methadone opioid rotation in patients with prescription opioid use disorder and chronic pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Opioids are effective in pain-management, but long-term opioid users can develop prescription opioid use disorder (OUD). One treatment strategy in patients with OUD is rotating from a short-acting opioid to a long-acting opioid (buprenorphine/naloxone (BuNa) or methadone). Both BuNa and methadone have been shown to be effective strategies in patients with OUD reducing opioid misuse, however data on head-to-head comparison in patients with chronic non-malignant pain and prescription OUD are limited.

METHODS

This two-armed open-label, randomized controlled trial aims to compare effectiveness between BuNa and methadone in patients with chronic non-malignant with prescription OUD (n = 100). Participants receive inpatient rotation to either BuNa or methadone with a flexible dosing regimen. The primary outcome is opioid misuse 2 months after rotation. Secondary outcomes include treatment compliance, side effects, analgesia, opioid craving, quality of life, mood symptoms, cognitive and physical functioning over 2- and 6 months follow-up. Linear mixed model analysis will be used to evaluate change in outcome parameters over time between the treatment arms.

DISCUSSION

This is one of the first studies comparing buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone for treating prescription OUD in a broad patient group with chronic non-malignant pain. Results may guide future treatment for patients with chronic pain and prescription OUD. Trial registration https://www.trialregister.nl/ , NL9781.

Screening Tools for Cognitive Impairment in Adults with Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Cognitive impairment is common in individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), yet no evidence-based guidelines exist regarding the most appropriate screening measure for use in this population. This systematic review aimed to (1) describe different cognitive screening measures used in adults with SUDs, (2) identify substance use populations and contexts these tools are utilised in, (3) review diagnostic accuracy of these screening measures versus an accepted objective reference standard, and (4) evaluate methodology of included studies for risk of bias.

METHODS

Online databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL) were searched for relevant studies according to pre-determined criteria, and risk of bias and applicability was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2). At each review phase, dual screening, extraction, and quality ratings were performed.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies met inclusion, identifying 10 unique cognitive screening tools. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was the most common, and two novel screening tools (Brief Evaluation of Alcohol-Related Neuropsychological Impairments [BEARNI] and Brief Executive Function Assessment Tool [BEAT]) were specifically developed for use within SUD populations. Twelve studies reported on classification accuracy and relevant psychometric parameters (e.g., sensitivity and specificity). While several tools yielded acceptable to outstanding classification accuracy, there was poor adherence to the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) across all studies, with high or unclear risk of methodological bias.

CONCLUSIONS

While some screening tools exhibit promise for use within SUD populations, further evaluation with stronger methodological design and reporting is required. Clinical recommendations and future directions for research are discussed.

Depression and Cognitive Impairment in a Spanish Sample of Psychoactive Substance Users Receiving Mental Health Care

(1) Background: Numerous studies state that the abuse of psychoactive substances produces cognitive, emotional and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between the consumption of different psychoactive substances with cognitive performance and depression. (2) Methods: The sample was composed of 254 individuals (M = 41.81; SD = 10.74, from 18 to 69; 76% male) who received psychological treatment related to the use of substances. Participants were classified according to the main substance consumed: alcohol (42.9%), cannabis (20.5%), cocaine (15.4%), heroin (13%) and benzodiazepines (8.3%). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Beck's Depression Inventory were administrated. (3) The results indicated no statistically significant differences between levels of depression depending on the substance consumed. Regarding cognitive impairment, it was found that cocaine consumers have the worst level of cognitive impairment, while cannabis consumers have the best level of cognitive functioning. Finally, it was found that participants with severe depression have higher cognitive impairment than those who were diagnosed with moderate depression. (4) Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of depression and cognitive impairment with the abuse of psychoactive substances, early treatment is recommended to avoid a higher cognitive and emotional affectation.

How do cannabis users mentally travel in time? Evidence from an fMRI study of episodic future thinking

RATIONALE

Episodic future thinking (EFT) is a cognitive function that allows individuals to imagine novel experiences that may happen in the future. Prior studies show that EFT is impaired in different groups of substance users. However, there is no evidence regarding the neurobiological mechanisms of EFT in cannabis users.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare brain activations of regular cannabis users and non-using controls during an EFT fMRI task. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to investigate the association between EFT and cannabis use variables (e.g., duration of use, age onset, frequency of use).

METHODS

Twenty current cannabis users and 22 drug-naïve controls underwent an fMRI scanning session while completing a task involving envisioning future-related events and retrieval of past memories as a control condition. The EFT fMRI task was adapted from the autobiographical interview and composed of 20 auditory cue sentences (10 cues for past and 10 cues for future events). Participants were asked to recall a past or generate a future event, in response to the cues, and then rate their vividness after each response.

RESULTS

We found that cannabis users compared to non-user controls had lower activation within the cerebellum, medial and superior temporal gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, and occipital fusiform gyrus while envisioning future events. Cannabis users rated the vividness of past events significantly lower than non-users (P < 0.005). There were marginal group differences for rating the vividness of future events (P = 0.052). Significant correlations were also found between the medial and superior temporal gyrus activities and behavioral measures of EFT and episodic memory.

CONCLUSIONS

Cannabis users, compared to drug-naïve controls, have lower brain activation in EFT relevant regions. Thus, any attempts to improve aberrant EFT performance in cannabis users may benefit from EFT training.

A Comparison Study of Impulsiveness, Cognitive Function, and P300 Components Between Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate and Heroin-Addicted Patients: Preliminary Findings

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare impulsiveness, negative emotion, cognitive function, and P300 components among gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)-addicted patients, heroin-dependent patients, and methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) subjects.

Methods

A total of 48 men including 17 GHB addicts, 16 heroin addicts, 15 MMT subjects, and 15 male mentally healthy controls (HC) were recruited. All subjects were evaluated for symptoms of depression, anxiety, impulsiveness, and cognitive function through the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version II (BIS-II), the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (BJ-MoCA), the behavioral test (response time), and event-related potential P300 detection.

Results

(1) The mean scores of BIS-II in the GHB addiction group, heroin dependence group, and MMT group were significantly higher than those of the HC group (F = 30.339, P = 0.000). (2) The total scores of BJ-MOCA in GHB addiction group was the worst among the four groups, followed by heroin addiction, MMT group and HC group (F = 27.880, P = 0.000). (3) The response time in the GHB addiction group was the longest among the four groups, followed by the heroin addiction, MMT, and HC groups (F = 150.499, P = 0.000). (4) The amplitude and latency of P300 in GHB addiction subjects were significantly lower and longer than those of the MMT group and the HC group. (5) For the three types of addiction, the P300 amplitudes at Fz, Cz, Pz, T5, and T6 were negatively correlated with the scores of GAD-7, PHQ-9, and BIS-II; the P300 latencies were positively correlated with the response time and negatively correlated with the scores of the BJ-MoCA.

Conclusion

People with an addiction were likely to have increased impulsiveness. The cognitive function of the GHB and heroin-addicted subjects, including the heroin detoxification and the MMT groups, was severely impaired, especially for the GHB-addicted patients. The impairment manifested as abnormalities of BJ-MoCA, response time, and P300 components.

Gut Microbiome Signatures Are Predictive of Cognitive Impairment in Hypertension Patients—A Cohort Study

Growing evidence has demonstrated that hypertension was associated with dysbiosis of intestinal flora. Since intestinal microbes could critically regulate neurofunction via the intestinal–brain axis, the study aimed to reveal the role and prediction value of intestinal flora alteration in hypertension-associated cognitive impairment. A cohort of 97 participants included 63 hypertension patients and 34 healthy controls. The structure of intestinal flora was analyzed by V3–V4 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, and 31 patients were considered to have cognitive impairment (MoCA &lt; 26). Patients with cognitive impairment had considerable alterations in intestinal flora structure, composition, and function compared with normal-cognitive patients. In particular, the abundance of LPS-containing taxa (Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacterales, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia–Shigella) and SCFA-producing taxon (Prevotella) significantly changed in cognition-impaired patients. Tax4Fun predication results showed downregulation of glycan biosynthesis and metabolism in hypertension patients with cognitive impairment. Additionally, the pathway was demonstrated to be significantly correlated with LPS-containing taxa (Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacterales, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia–Shigella) and SCFA-producing taxon Prevotella. Furthermore, the taxa-based multiple joint prediction model (9×) was demonstrated to have excellent diagnostic potential for cognitive impairment of hypertension patients (AUC = 0.944). The current study revealed the involvement of intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in cognition-impaired hypertension patients and provided an objective predictive index for this cognition disorder.

The use of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) screening tool to evaluate cognitive deficits in Lebanese in-patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a brief cognitive impairment screening tool suitable for a rapid diagnosis of cognitive functioning. The primary objective was to examine the ability of the MoCA to detect cognitive impairment and functioning (autonomy and social cognition) among Lebanese patients with schizophrenia. The secondary objective was to evaluate factors related to cognition.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study conducted between July 2019 and Mars 2020 that enrolled 120 in-patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The MoCA tool and the BACS were used to evaluate the patients' cognitive functioning.

RESULTS

The MoCA adjusted total score was significantly correlated with the BACS total score (r = .72, p < .001). The cut-off value of the MoCA for detecting mild cognitive impairment was 21, moderate cognitive impairment was 20.50 and severe cognitive impairment was 19.5. The multivariable analysis showed that the MoCA total score and the BACS score resulted in a non-significant association with autonomy. Also, higher cognition (higher BACS) (B =.10, p < 0.001) was significantly associated with a higher MoCA total score. However, higher depression (B=-.18, p = .02) and higher psychosis (B=-.04, p = .01) were significantly associated with lower MoCA.

CONCLUSION

The Arabic version of the MoCA can be a useful tool for screening cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia.

Feasibility and acceptability of mindful recovery opioid use care continuum (M-ROCC): A concurrent mixed methods study

As opioid overdose deaths increase, buprenorphine/naloxone (B/N) treatment is expanding, yet almost half of patients are not retained in B/N treatment. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) designed to promote non-judgmental awareness of present moment experience may be complementary to B/N treatment and offer the potential to enhance retention by reducing substance use and addressing comorbid symptoms. In this pilot study, we examined the feasibility and acceptability of the Mindful Recovery OUD Care Continuum (M-ROCC), a trauma-informed, motivationally sensitive, 24-week MBI. Participants (N = 18) were adults with Opioid Use Disorder prescribed B/N. The study team conducted assessments of satisfaction, mindfulness levels, and home practice, as well as qualitative interviews at 4 and 24-weeks. M-ROCC was feasible in a sample with high rates of childhood trauma and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses with 89% of participants retained at 4-weeks and 72% at 24-weeks. Positive qualitative interview responses and a high rate of participants willing to refer a friend (100%) demonstrates program acceptability. Participant mindfulness increased from baseline to 24-weeks (β = 0.24, p = 0.001, d = 0.51), and increases were correlated with informal mindfulness practice frequency (r = 0.7, p < 0.01). Although limited by small sample size, this pilot study highlights the feasibility and acceptability of integrating MBIs into standard primary care Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) among a population with substantial trauma history.

The Course of Cognitive Performance during Inpatient Treatment in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder with No, Mild or Major Neurocognitive Disorders

Aims

In patients with a history of chronic alcohol abuse, neurocognitive disorders (NCD) are not uncommon. The current study aimed to explore the course of cognitive performance, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and everyday cognitive functioning, as measured by the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS), in a large group of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) admitted to the Center of Excellence for Korsakov and Alcohol-related Cognitive Impairments.

Methods

A multiple time-series design was used, in which the MoCA was administered at three time points of assessment, and the PCRS was completed by both the patient and a clinician at two time points, all during clinical treatment.

Results

A total of 524 patients were included, 71 of whom were diagnosed with AUD only, 284 with AUD and mild NCD (ARCI) and 169 with AUD, major NCD and fulfilling criteria for Korsakoff’s syndrome (KS).

Conclusions

Cognitive performance improved for all three groups during treatment, sustained abstinence and recovery from AUD. A low memory performance on the MoCA without improvement over time was predictive for KS, while improvement on this domain did not differentiate between AUD and ARCI. Changes in overall cognitive performance and orientation in patients with KS were positively related to changes in everyday cognitive functioning.

Pain and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in Aging

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to determine whether specific cognitive domains part of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are significantly lower in community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain compared with older adults without pain and whether these domains would be associated with self-reported pain, disability, and somatosensory function.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis, cross-sectional.

SETTING

University of Florida.

SUBJECTS

Individuals over 60 years old enrolled in the Neuromodulatory Examination of Pain and mobility Across the Lifespan (NEPAL) study were included if they completed the MoCA and other study measures (n = 62). Most participants reported pain on most days during the past three months (63%).

METHODS

Subjects underwent a health assessment (HAS) and a quantitative sensory testing (QST) session. Health/medical history, cognitive function and self-reported pain measures were administered during the HAS. Mechanical and thermal detection, and thermal pain thresholds were assessed during the QST session.

RESULTS

Older adults with chronic pain had lower MoCA scores compared with controls on domains of executive function, attention, memory, and language (P < 0.05). The attention and language domains survived adjustments for age, sex, education, depression, and pain duration (P < 0.05). Attention was significantly associated with all pain characteristics including pain intensity and disability, while executive function was associated with mechanical detection (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our results support previous findings that individuals with chronic pain tend to show poorer cognitive functioning compared with pain-free controls in domains of attention and executive function. Our findings also extend these findings to community-dwelling older adults, who are already most vulnerable to age-related cognitive declines.

Cognitive improvement among abstinent methamphetamine users: A 2-year prospective longitudinal study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The adverse impact of chronic methamphetamine (MA) use on cognitive function has been described in previous studies, but limited evidence is available for abstinent users from prospective longitudinal studies. The aim of the present study was to assess cognitive function of varying abstinent duration.

METHODS

This prospective longitudinal study was conducted with baseline and four follow-up interviews every 6 months over 2 years in 358 MA users in Guangdong province, China. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to measure cognitive function. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was used to examine within-subjects relationships between abstinence and cognitive consequences over time.

RESULTS

The repeated measure analysis of variance showed significant differences in the total MoCA score and all subscale scores (except Orientation) in the 24 months follow-up. The GEE model showed that abstinence from MA in the past 6 months predicted an increase of 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29 to 1.05, p = .002) in MoCA score changes compared with the nonabstinence MA users. Abstinence in the past 12, 18, and 24 months predicted an increase in MoCA total score changes of 1.25 (95% CI = -0.23 to 2.74), 2.15 (95% CI = -0.79 to 5.09), and 5.28 (95% CI = -2.01 to 12.58), respectively, but none of these was statistically significant.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive function was potentially improved following 6 months of MA abstinence.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

This study extends prior research by long-term follow-up in big sample MA abstinence users. Findings from study support the need for a comprehensive measure to decrease MA use and promote the recovery of cognitive impairment.

Developing a cognitive dysfunction risk score for use with opioid-dependent persons in drug treatment

BACKGROUND

Cognitive dysfunction is common in persons seeking medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and may hinder many addiction-related services. Brief but accurate screening measures are needed to efficiently assess cognitive dysfunction in these resource-limited settings. The study aimed to develop a brief predictive risk score tailored for use among patients in drug treatment.

METHODS

The present study examined predictors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), objectively assessed via the NIH Toolbox, among 173 patients receiving methadone as MOUD at an urban New England drug treatment facility. Predictors of MCI were identified in one subsample using demographic characteristics, medical chart data, and selected items from the Brief Inventory of Neuro-Cognitive Impairment (BINI). Predictors were cross-validated in a second subsample using logistic regression. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses determined an optimal cut-off score for detecting MCI.

RESULTS

A cognitive dysfunction risk score (CDRS) was calculated from patient demographics (age 50+, non-White ethnicity, less than high school education), medical and substance use chart data (history of head injury, overdose, psychiatric diagnosis, past year polysubstance use), and selected self-report items (BINI). The CDRS discriminated acceptably well, with a ROC curve area of 70.6 %, and correctly identified 78 % of MCI cases (sensitivity = 87.5 %; specificity = 55.6 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The CDRS identified patients with cognitive challenges at a level likely to impede treatment engagement and/or key outcomes. The CDRS may assist in efficiently identifying patients with cognitive dysfunction while requiring minimal training and resources. Larger validation studies are needed in other clinical settings.

Cognitive impairment and treatment outcomes amongst people attending an alcohol intervention service for those aged 50+

Purpose

No studies have evaluated the relationship between cognitive impairment and alcohol treatment outcomes amongst older drinkers. This study aims to explore the extent of cognitive impairment amongst older adults seeking alcohol treatment and examine the relationship between cognitive impairment, treatment retention and alcohol use following treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used data from the Drink Wise Age Well programme; an alcohol intervention service for older adults (aged 50+). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to screen for cognitive impairment; alcohol use was assessed using the alcohol use disorders identification test.

Findings

In total, 531 participants completed the assessment at treatment entry. Over half the sample were male (57%), with a mean age of 60 years (Standard deviation: 7.09). Almost half (48.4%) had cognitive impairment at the entry to treatment: 51.6% had a normal cognitive function, 41.4% had mild cognitive impairment, 5.8% had moderate cognitive impairment and 1.1% had severe cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment was not associated with increased treatment drop-out and was not predictive of alcohol use following treatment. Alcohol treatment was associated with a significant improvement in cognitive functioning.

Originality/value

This study suggests there may be a significant amount of unidentified cognitive impairment amongst older adults attending alcohol treatment. Assessment and routine screening for cognitive impairment in drug and alcohol services may help in care planning and setting treatment goals; in the absence of routine screening opportunities for treatment planning and intervention may be missed.

Brief executive-function assessment tool: A new cognitive impairment screening tool for alcohol and other drug services

Accurate screening for cognitive impairment in alcohol and other drug (AOD) services would help to identify individuals who may need supports to obtain the greatest benefit from substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. At present there is no screening measure that has been developed specifically to detect cognitive impairment in a SUD population. This study examines the psychometric properties of the Brief Executive-function Assessment Tool (BEAT), which was specifically designed for this purpose. This study involving 501 individuals with SUD and 145 normal control participants established internal consistency (n = 646; 0.734), interrater (n = 60; 0.994), and test-retest reliability (n = 177; 0.845), and construct (all correlations p ≤ 0.05), and criterion (n = 467; ANCOVA p < 0.001) validity. Test operating characteristics (n = 500; 87% sensitivity, 71% specificity, 21% PPP, and 99% NPP) were also established relative to an independent criterion variable made up of three established performance-based neuropsychological tests. Findings support the reliability and validity of the BEAT as a screening measure of executive function impairment with high sensitivity and a low rate of false negatives.

Association between the brief inventory of neurocognitive impairment (BINI) and objective cognitive testing among persons with opioid use disorders in drug treatment

The current study examined the association between subjective cognitive dysfunction and objective test performance in persons enrolled in drug treatment and stabilized on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT). A total of 177 participants completed the self-reported brief inventory of neurocognitive impairment (BINI) and NIH Toolbox test battery. In participants with neurocognitive dysfunction, scores on all BINI subscales were negatively associated with objective performance on the NIH Toolbox (BINI Global r = -0.26, p = 0.01; BINI Subscales ranging -0.22 to -0.32, all p's < 0.03). Using cutoff scores, results showed participants who scored above the cutoff on the BINI Learning subscale demonstrated significant evidence of objective neurocognitive dysfunction on the NIH Toolbox (65% vs. 35%; χ2 = 6.57, p = 0.02), suggesting possible clinical utility. Future studies are needed to determine the feasibility of using the BINI to inform the accommodation of patients with specific neurocognitive profiles to optimize treatment outcomes.

Feasibility and pilot efficacy of cognitive remediation for people in residential substance use treatment

INTRODUCTION

There are high rates of cognitive impairment among people seeking treatment for problematic substance use, which is rarely addressed in treatment programs. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of the neuropsychological and educational approach to cognitive remediation (NEAR) in a residential substance treatment setting.

METHODS

A non-randomised trial conducted between November 2018 and November 2019, compared outcomes for 34 residents who received cognitive remediation (CR) plus treatment as usual (TAU) to 31 residents who received TAU only. Number of groups and attendance, and a measure of client satisfaction assessed feasibility. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline (service admission), and at 2 and 6 months post-admission.

RESULTS

A total of 95 CR groups were delivered over a 36-week time period with a high degree of treatment fidelity and acceptability to participants. Cognitive outcomes improved across both the CR+TAU and TAU groups by 2 months, which was maintained at 6 months for outcomes related to executive functioning. There were no significant differences between the CR+TAU and TAU groups at 2 or 6 months, although a large effect size and confidence intervals indicated a potentially larger change in cognitive flexibility after receiving CR.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to our understanding of the implementation of CR in the alcohol and other drug rehabilitation setting. It is feasible to incorporate the NEAR program in treatment. The small sample size and lower than expected treatment dose likely contributed to the lack of significant findings.

The Alcohol and Drug Cognitive Enhancement (ACE) Screening Tool: A simple and brief questionnaire to screen for cognitive impairment in substance use disorder treatment services

The objective of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability; construct and criterion validity; and test operating characteristics of a newly developed cognitive impairment risk factor screening instrument, the Alcohol and Drug Cognitive Enhancement (ACE) Screening Tool. Participants in the validation study were 129 adults with substance use disorder (SUD) enrolled in residential SUD treatment services and 209 normal controls. Test and retest data were available for 36 participants with SUD and 40 normal control individuals on the ACE Screening Tool. Test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.97). The ACE Screening Tool was significantly correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult Version (BRIEF-A), Test of Premorbid Functioning (TOPF) and Five Point Test, establishing construct validity. Criterion validity was established using a ternary severity variable constructed using results obtained on the MoCA and BRIEF-A. Test operating characteristics analysis showed 93% sensitivity, 46% specificity, 33% positive predictive power, and 96% negative predictive power using a cut-score of >3. Those high levels of sensitivity and negative predictive power indicated that the tool would likely detect cognitive impairment when present and should therefore be considered suitable as an initial screening tool for cognitive impairment in individuals attending SUD services.

Early Identification of Alcohol Use Disorder Patients at Risk of Developing Korsakoff's Syndrome

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the Brief Evaluation of Alcohol-Related Neuropsychological Impairments (BEARNI), a screening tool developed to identify neuropsychological deficits in alcohol use disorder (AUD) patients, can also be used for the early identification of AUD patients at risk of developing Korsakoff's syndrome (KS).

METHODS

Eighteen KS patients, 47 AUD patients and 27 healthy controls underwent BEARNI testing (including 5 subtests targeting episodic memory, working memory, executive function, visuospatial abilities, and ataxia) and a comprehensive neuropsychological examination.

RESULTS

Performance of AUD and KS patients on BEARNI subtests was consistent with the results on the standardized neuropsychological assessment. On BEARNI, ataxia and working memory deficits observed in AUD were as severe as those exhibited by KS patients, whereas for visuospatial abilities, a graded effect of performance was found. In contrast, the subtests involving long-term memory abilities (episodic memory and fluency) were impaired in KS patients only. AUD patients with a score lower than 1.5 points (out of 6) on the episodic memory subtest of BEARNI exhibited the lowest episodic memory performance on the neuropsychological battery and could be considered at risk of developing KS.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that BEARNI is a useful tool for detecting severe memory impairments, suggesting that it could be used for the early identification of AUD patients at high risk of developing KS.

Women in Christian Substance Abuse Treatment; Forgiveness, Attachment Styles, and Improvements in Co-occurring Mental Health Symptoms

The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of The Recovery Center at Shalom House Ministries and examine the relationship(s) between forgiveness, attachment styles, drug and alcohol abuse, self-reported mental health symptoms, and cognitive functioning. Participants (N = 118 women) attended Shalom Recovery (2016-2018). Statistically significant improvement was found between entrance and the 3-month mark on all measures, with 67.9% completing the program. Findings indicated that the revenge motivations correlated with depression, self-esteem, anxiety, and avoidance of intimacy with God, but only this latter scale contributed to a multiple regression model on revenge motivations at program entry.

Neurocognitive performance in alcohol use disorder using the NIH toolbox: Role of severity and sex differences

AIMS

Sustained heavy alcohol consumption is associated with a range of neurocognitive deficits. Yet, past research centers on a severe profile of alcohol use disorder (AUD), with persons recruited from in-patient settings. The current project aims to compare neurocognitive performance between individuals seeking AUD outpatient treatment with healthy comparisons while considering the association between performance, disorder severity, and sex.

METHODS

Enrollment included two matched groups (N = 125; 34 % female): 77 treatment-seeking individuals with AUD; 48 healthy comparison individuals with low drinking patterns. Neurocognitive performance on NIH Toolbox subtests measuring attention, inhibition, episodic memory, working memory, language, and processing speed were compared across groups. Within the AUD group, analyses examined the relationship between performance, disorder severity, recent alcohol consumption, and sex.

RESULTS

AUD group did not perform significantly lower than healthy comparisons on neurocognition subtests assessed. Within AUD group, females displayed significantly higher processing speeds than males (p = .007). Disorder severity and alcohol consumption were not significantly related to performance. However, a significant interaction between disorder severity and sex emerged (p = .010), with higher severity associated with poorer performance in males but not females, on a subtest measuring attention and inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

Effect of heavy alcohol use on neurocognitive performance was not detected in this outpatient AUD sample. Weaknesses in domains of attention and inhibition may be correlated with AUD severity among males, but not females. Further research on AUD severity and sex in understanding individual differences in neurocognition is warranted, particularly using novel tools for large scale phenotyping, such as the NIH Toolbox.

Alcohol-related brain injury: An unrecognized problem in acute medicine

Alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI) is an unrecognized and therefore untreated consequence of alcohol use disorder. Here, we explore a 12-month period prevalence of alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI) in alcohol use disorder patients. Inpatients aged ≥18 years reviewed by the Alcohol Care Team's Specialist Nurses between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018 were eligible for the study (n = 1276). Screening identified a high-risk subset of patients who matched at least one of the following: 1) more than three alcohol-related admissions in one year; 2) two alcohol-related admissions in any given 30-day period; 3) patient or their significant other had concerns regarding cognition. The high-risk patients were assessed for evidence of ARBI using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Tool (MoCA). The primary measure of interest was MoCA ≤23. Analysis was conducted between subgroups of the study population to identify prevalence rate ratios for matching the high-risk screening criteria, and MoCA ≤23 in high-risk patients. Two hundred and five patients were identified as high risk for ARBI. The period prevalence rates in this high-risk group for patients with a MoCA ≤23 was 36.1%. Those under the age of 35 years were significantly less likely to match the high-risk criteria. Patients that were homeless or staying in hostels were more likely to match the high-risk criteria and were also at increased risk of MoCA ≤23, compared with those living with family members. In summary, ARBI is common in patients with AUD attending acute hospitals. ARBI is often not diagnosed, and thus further work is required to improve screening for, and identification of, these patients to develop evidence-based clinical pathways that optimize care.

Psychometric properties of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in healthy participants aged 18-70

Objectives: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a cognitive screen, available in three alternate versions. Aims of the current study were to examine the effects of age, education and intelligence on MoCA performance and to determine the alternate-form equivalence and test-retest reliability of the MoCA, in a group of healthy participants.Method: In 210 participants, two MoCA versions and an estimator for premorbid intelligence were administered at two time points.Results: Age, education and estimated premorbid intelligence correlated significantly with the total score (MoCA-TS) and the Memory Index Score (MoCA-MIS). Systematic differences between MoCA version 7.1 and alternate versions 7.2 and 7.3 were only found for the items animal naming, abstract reasoning and sentence repetition. Test-retest reliability of the MoCA-TS was good between 7.1 and 7.2 (ICC: 0.64) and excellent between 7.1 and 7.3 (ICC: 0.82). For the MoCA-MIS, coefficients were poor (ICC: 0.32) to fair (ICC: 0.48), respectively.Conclusion: Adequate norms are needed that take the effects of age, education and intelligence on MoCA performance into account. All three MoCA versions are largely equivalent based on MoCA-TS and the test-retest reliabilities show that this score is suitable to monitor cognitive change over time. Comparisons of the domain-specific scores should be interpreted with caution.Key pointsThe MoCA total score is a reliable cognitive measure.All three MoCA versions are largely equivalent.Age, education and intelligence are predictors of MoCA performance in healthy participants.Future studies should focus on collecting normative data for age, education and intelligence for use in clinical practice.

Cognitive reserve mediates the severity of certain neuropsychological deficits related to cocaine use disorder

The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) is being considered in the field of substance use disorder (SUD) by observing that there are individuals whose brain alterations are not related to the cognitive symptomatology they present. Our aims were to characterise the possible neuropsychological deficits in a sample of subjects with SUD compared to healthy controls and to determine whether the degree of CR is a mediator in the cognitive functioning of these patients. To perform these objectives, the study involved a sample of subjects with SUD in outpatient treatment and a healthy control group. A CR questionnaire and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment were administered, and we also collected data related to drug consumption and psychological well-being. The SUD group showed poorer performance compared to the control group in several cognitive domains (attention, declarative memory, executive functions and emotional perception), as well as in psychological comfort. Interestingly, we observed that the deficits found in attention and processing speed were highly mediated by the CR level of the participants, an effect that we did not observe in the rest of the variables registered. Our results suggest that long-term drug consumption leads to cognitive deficits and affects the psychological well-being of the subjects. Moreover, the CR should be taken into account during the assessment and rehabilitation of patients with SUD due to its protective role against certain neuropsychological deficits.

Exploring the prevalence of substance-induced neurocognitive disorder among polysubstance users, adding subjective and objective evidence of cognitive impairment

The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of substance-induced neurocognitive disorder (NCD) in a sample of polysubstance users, adding both objective- and subjective cognitive impairment.

METHOD

We collected cross-sectional data from 33 community-based residential facilities in Mexico City. Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used for measurement of objective cognitive impairment, and a DSM-5-based interview for subjective impairment. Years and days of recent use of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and inhalants were collected for regression analyses.

RESULTS

753 participants were analyzed; from these, 50.5% show objective impairment, 71% and 58.5% self-reported any cognitive deficit and cognitive decline, respectively. Between 21.8%-36.5% would qualify for NCD when integrating both objective- and subjective impairment (deficit or decline). Significant weak associations were found between objective impairment and subjective deficits in all cognitive domains except social cognition. Regression models adding both objective- and subjective measures explained more variation in the years of alcohol, inhalant and cocaine use, and in recent marijuana use, than the objective measure alone, but associations were inconsistent.

CONCLUSION

Though significant in proportion, the prevalence of NCD in this population can only be partially related to substance use. Further integrative approaches are needed to refine the epidemiology of this disorder.

Cognitive profiles in persons with opioid use disorder enrolled in methadone treatment

Cognitive impairment is common in persons with opioid use disorder and associated with poor treatment outcomes, including elevated risk for relapse. Much less is known about the underlying structure of these deficits and the possible presence of cognitive phenotypes. A total of 177 adults (average 42.2 years of age, 52.0% male, 65.5% Caucasian) enrolled in a methadone maintenance treatment program completed the NIH Toolbox as part of a larger project. Cluster analyses revealed a 2-cluster solution-persons with intact cognitive function in all domains (n = 93; Intact) and those with impairments on tests of attention and executive function (n = 83; Impaired). Follow-up analyses revealed that the Impaired group was slightly older, more likely to self-identify as a racial/ethnic minority, and less likely to report consuming alcohol four or more times per week. These findings suggest the existence of distinct cognitive profiles in persons with opioid use disorder and encourage further examination, particularly studies to examine the possible benefits of routine screening for cognitive impairment as part of substance use treatment.