Childhood physical neglect associated with executive functions impairments in crack cocaine-dependent women

Abstract

Background: Studies that have investigated the executive functions (EFs) in crack cocaine-dependence have focused on differences between groups of drug users and non-user controls. In this study, however, we employ a promising additional approach that considers individual differences, such as exposure to childhood neglect that might be related to the degree of cognitive impairment associated with addiction.

Objective: We evaluated EFs in crack cocaine-dependent women who have reported a history of childhood physical neglect (CPN) and compared these measures with those of crack cocaine-dependent women who do not reported CPN.

Method: The participants were divided into 2 groups: those with a history of CPN (CPN+) (n=37) and those without a history of CPN (CPN-) (n=48). Cold EFs were assessed with the Stroop Task, the Trail Making Test B, the Verbal Fluency Task, the N-Back Task and the Letter and Number Sequencing task. Hot EFs were assessed with the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT).

Results: The CPN+ group exhibited lower performance in all of the tasks except the IGT. A multivariate analysis of covariance indicated significant group differences in EFs (F(6,63)=2.51, p=0.030), regardless of craving severity and premorbid IQ.

Conclusions: CPN is associated with cognitive impairments in crack cocaine-dependent women specifically regarding EFs and working memory tasks.

Keywords: Child abuse; Cocaine; Cognition; Early life stress; Executive functions; Neuropsychology; Psychological; Stress; Substance-related disorders.