ATTENTION AND MEMORY IN ILLICIT AMPHETAMINE USERS

The purpose of this study was to assess cognitive functioning in a gro up of illicit amphetamine users. A neuropsychological test battery (We chsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) and the digit symbol, block design and vocabulary subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revi sed (WAIS-R) and the National Adult Reading Test (NART)) was administe red to 78 amphetamine users (mean age = 22.5 years; 46 males, 33 femal es). Severity of amphetamine dependence was found to be associated wit h poorer-performance on both memory and attention/concentration indice s of the WMS-R. The relative contribution of amphetamine dependence, c oncurrent drug use and other drug related factors to neuropsychologica l functioning are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.