Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Neuropsychological Consequences of Opiate Use

  • Published:
Neuropsychology Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Approximately 3.7 million individuals have used heroin and other opiate substances in their lifetime. Despite increasing knowledge of the effects of heroin, it remains the most abused opiate and use among adults has recently increased. The empirical literature examining the neurocognitive effects of acute and chronic opioid use remains limited; however, findings to date suggest that the use of opiates has both acute and long-term effects on cognitive performance. Neuropsychological data indicate deficits in attention, concentration, recall, visuospatial skills and psychomotor speed with both acute and chronic opioid use. The long-term effects of opiate use appear to have the greatest impact on executive functions, including the ability to shift cognitive set and inhibit inappropriate response tendencies. Factors that contribute to addiction and recovery are also discussed, as it is difficult to disentangle the effects of opiate use on cognitive performance from other factors that may affect neurobehavioral measures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amass, L., Nardin, R., Mendelson, J. H., Teoh, S. K., & Woods, B. T. (1992). Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging in heroin- and cocaine-dependent men: a preliminary study. Psychiatry Research, 45(1), 15–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association, C. o. N. a. S. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appel, P. W., & Gordon, N. B. (1976). Digit-symbol performance in methadone-treated ex-heroin addicts. American Journal of Psychiatry, 133(11), 1337–1340.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bickel, W. K., Odum, A. L., & Madden, G. J. (1999). Impulsivity and cigarette smoking: Delay discounting in current, never, and ex-smokers. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 146(4), 447–454.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brooner, R. K., King, V. L., Kidorf, M., Schmidt, C. W., Jr., & Bigelow, G. E. (1997). Psychiatric and substance use comorbidity among treatment-seeking opioid abusers. Archives of General Psychiatry, 54(1), 71–80.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bruhn, P., & Maage, N. (1975). Intellectual and neuropsychological functions in young men with heavy and long-term patterns of drug abuse. American Journal of Psychiatry, 132(4), 397–401.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carlin, A. S. (1986). Neuropsychological consequences of drug abuse. In I. Grant & K. M. Adams (Eds.), Neuropsychological assessment of neuropsychiatric disorders (pp. 486–503). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, O., Christensen, P., Sonnenschein, C., Nielsen, P. R., & Jacobsen, S. (1996). Analgesic effect of intraarticular morphine. A controlled, randomised and double-blind study. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 40(7), 842–846.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cleeland, C. S., Nakamura, Y., Howland, E. W., Morgan, N. R., Edwards, K. R., & Backonja, M. (1996). Effects of oral morphine on cold pressor tolerance time and neuropsychological performance. Neuropsychopharmacology, 15(3), 252–262.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Correia, C. J., Walsh, S. L., Bigelow, G. E., & Strain, E. C. (2006). Effects associated with double-blind omission of buprenorphine/naloxone over a 98-h period. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 189(3), 297–306.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cruz, S. L., Villarreal, J. E., & Volkow, N. D. (1996). Further evidence that naloxone acts as an inverse opiate agonist: Implications for drug dependence and withdrawal. Life Science, 58(26), PL381–PL389.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Curran, H. V., Kleckham, J., Bearn, J., Strang, J., & Wanigaratne, S. (2001). Effects of methadone on cognition, mood and craving in detoxifying opiate addicts: A dose-response study. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 154(2), 153–160.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daglish, M. R., Weinstein, A., Malizia, A. L., Wilson, S., Melichar, J. K., Lingford-Hughes, A., et al. (2003). Functional connectivity analysis of the neural circuits of opiate craving: “More” rather than “different”? Neuroimage, 20(4), 1964–1970.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Danos, P., Van Roos, D., Kasper, S., Bromel, T., Broich, K., Krappel, C., et al. (1998). Enlarged cerebrospinal fluid spaces in opiate-dependent male patients: A stereological CT study. Neuropsychobiology, 38(2), 80–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Darke, S., Sims, J., McDonald, S., & Wickes, W. (2000). Cognitive impairment among methadone maintenance patients. Addiction, 95(5), 687–695.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, P. E., Liddiard, H., & McMillan, T. M. (2002). Neuropsychological deficits and opiate abuse. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 67(1), 105–108.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dole, V. P., & Nyswander, M. (1965). A medical treatment for diacetylmorphine (heroin) addiction. A clinical trial with methadone hydrochloride. Journal of the American Medical Association, 193, 646–650.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ersche, K. D., Clark, L., London, M., Robbins, T. W., & Sahakian, B. J. (2006). Profile of executive and memory function associated with amphetamine and opiate dependence. Neuropsychopharmacology, 31(5), 1036–1047.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forman, S. D., Dougherty, G. G., Casey, B. J., Siegle, G. J., Braver, T. S., Barch, D. M., et al. (2004). Opiate addicts lack error-dependent activation of rostral anterior cingulate. Biological Psychiatry, 55(5), 531–537.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franceschini, D., Lipartiti, M., & Giusti, P. (1999). Effect of acute and chronic tramadol on [3H]-norepinephrine-uptake in rat cortical synaptosomes. Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 23(3), 485–496.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gaertner, J., Radbruch, L., Giesecke, T., Gerbershagen, H., Petzke, F., Ostgathe, C., et al. (2006). Assessing cognition and psychomotor function under long-term treatment with controlled release oxycodone in non-cancer pain patients. Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica, 50(6), 664–672.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galynker, I. I., Watras-Ganz, S., Miner, C., Rosenthal, R. N., Des Jarlais, D. C., Richman, B. L., et al. (2000). Cerebral metabolism in opiate-dependent subjects: Effects of methadone maintenance. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, 67(5–6), 381–387.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gobbi, M., & Mennini, T. (1999). Release studies with rat brain cortical synaptosomes indicate that tramadol is a 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake blocker and not a 5-hydroxytryptamine releaser. European Journal of Pharmacology, 370(1), 23–26.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, A., Jacobs, E. A., Petry, N. M., Badger, G. J., & Bickel, W. K. (2001). Limits to buprenorphine dosing: A comparison between quintuple and sextuple the maintenance dose every 5 days. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 64(1), 111–116.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gruber, S. A., Tzilos, G. K., Silveri, M. M., Pollack, M., Renshaw, P. F., Kaufman, M. J., et al. (2006). Methadone maintenance improves cognitive performance after two months of treatment. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 14(2), 157–164.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guerra, D., Sole, A., Cami, J., & Tobena, A. (1987). Neuropsychological performance in opiate addicts after rapid detoxification. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 20(3), 261–270.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, M., Xu, N. J., Li, Y. T., Yang, J. Y., Wu, C. F., & Pei, G. (2005). Morphine modulates glutamate release in the hippocampal CA1 area in mice. Neuroscience Letters, 381(1–2), 12–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanks, G. W., O’Neill, W. M., Simpson, P., & Wesnes, K. (1995). The cognitive and psychomotor effects of opioid analgesics. II. A randomized controlled trial of single doses of morphine, lorazepam and placebo in healthy subjects. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 48(6), 455–460.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, H., Stancliff, S., & Langrod, J. (2000). Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT): A review of historical and clinical issues. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, 67(5–6), 347–364.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalivas, P. W., & Volkow, N. D. (2005). The neural basis of addiction: A pathology of motivation and choice. American Journal of Psychiatry, 162(8), 1403–1413.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, M. J., Pollack, M. H., Villafuerte, R. A., Kukes, T. J., Rose, S. L., Mendelson, J. H., et al. (1999). Cerebral phosphorus metabolite abnormalities in opiate-dependent polydrug abusers in methadone maintenance. Psychiatry Research, 90(3), 143–152.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, B., Hill, H., Coda, B., Calogero, M., Chapman, C. R., Hunt, E., et al. (1991). Concentration-related effects of morphine on cognition and motor control in human subjects. Neuropsychopharmacology, 5(3), 157–166.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koob, G. F. (1987). Neural substrates of opioid tolerance and dependence. NIDA Research Monograph, 76, 46–52.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koob, G. F. (2003). Neuroadaptive mechanisms of addiction: studies on the extended amygdala. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 13(6), 442–452.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koob, G. F., Ahmed, S. H., Boutrel, B., Chen, S. A., Kenny, P. J., Markou, A., et al. (2004). Neurobiological mechanisms in the transition from drug use to drug dependence. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 27(8), 739–749.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koob, G. F., & Le Moal, M. (2001). Drug addiction, dysregulation of reward, and allostasis. Neuropsychopharmacology, 24(2), 97–129.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koob, G. F., Stinus, L., Le Moal, M., & Bloom, F. E. (1989). Opponent process theory of motivation: Neurobiological evidence from studies of opiate dependence. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 13(2–3), 135–140.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kosten, T. R., Schottenfeld, R., Ziedonis, D., & Falcioni, J. (1993). Buprenorphine versus methadone maintenance for opioid dependence. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 181(6), 358–364.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kreek, M. J. (1997). Opiate and cocaine addictions: Challenge for pharmacotherapies. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 57(3), 551–569.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krystal, J. H., Woods, S. W., Kosten, T. R., Rosen, M. I., Seibyl, J. P., van Dyck, C. C., et al. (1995). Opiate dependence and withdrawal: Preliminary assessment using single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 21(1), 47–63.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lalovic, B., Kharasch, E., Hoffer, C., Risler, L., Liu-Chen, L. Y., & Shen, D. D. (2006). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of oral oxycodone in healthy human subjects: Role of circulating active metabolites. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 79(5), 461–479.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laviolette, S. R., Gallegos, R. A., Henriksen, S. J., & van der Kooy, D. (2004). Opiate state controls bi-directional reward signaling via GABAA receptors in the ventral tegmental area. Nature Neuroscience, 7(2), 160–169.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C. R., McTavish, D., & Sorkin, E. M. (1993). Tramadol. A preliminary review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic potential in acute and chronic pain states. Drugs, 46(2), 313–340.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T. M., & Pau, C. W. (2002). Impulse control differences between abstinent heroin users and matched controls. Brain Injury, 16(10), 885–889.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T. M., Zhou, W. H., Luo, X. J., Yuen, K. S., Ruan, X. Z., & Weng, X. C. (2005). Neural activity associated with cognitive regulation in heroin users: A fMRI study. Neuroscience Letters, 382(3), 211–216.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lenne, M. G., Dietze, P., Rumbold, G. R., Redman, J. R., & Triggs, T. J. (2003). The effects of the opioid pharmacotherapies methadone, LAAM and buprenorphine, alone and in combination with alcohol, on simulated driving. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 72(3), 271–278.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J. M., Mendelson, J. H., Holman, B. L., Teoh, S. K., Garada, B., Schwartz, R. B., et al. (1995). Improved regional cerebral blood flow in chronic cocaine polydrug users treated with buprenorphine. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 36(7), 1211–1215.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ling, W., Wesson, D. R., Charuvastra, C., & Klett, C. J. (1996). A controlled trial comparing buprenorphine and methadone maintenance in opioid dependence. Archives of General Psychiatry, 53(5), 401–407.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • London, E., Margolin, R. A., Wong, D. F., Links, J., La France, N. D., Cascella, N. G., et al. (1989). Cerebral glucose utilization in human heroine addicts: case reports from a position emission tomographic study. Research Communications in Substance Abuse, 10, 141–144.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • London, E. D., Broussolle, E. P., Links, J. M., Wong, D. F., Cascella, N. G., Dannals, R. F., et al. (1990). Morphine-induced metabolic changes in human brain. Studies with positron emission tomography and [fluorine 18]fluorodeoxyglucose. Archives of General Psychiatry, 47(1), 73–81.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lubman, D. I., Peters, L. A., Mogg, K., Bradley, B. P., & Deakin, J. F. (2000). Attentional bias for drug cues in opiate dependence. Psychological Medicine, 30(1), 169–175.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyoo, I. K., Pollack, M. H., Silveri, M. M., Ahn, K. H., Diaz, C. I., Hwang, J., et al. (2006). Prefrontal and temporal gray matter density decreases in opiate dependence. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 184(2), 139–144.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McLellan, A. T., Luborsky, L., O’Brien, C. P., Barr, H. L., & Evans, F. (1986). Alcohol and drug abuse treatment in three different populations: Is there improvement and is it predictable? American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 12(1–2), 101–120.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McLellan, A. T., Luborsky, L., Woody, G. E., O’Brien, C. P., & Druley, K. A. (1983). Predicting response to alcohol and drug abuse treatments. Role of psychiatric severity. Archives of General Psychiatry, 40(6), 620–625.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mintzer, M. Z., Copersino, M. L., & Stitzer, M. L. (2005). Opioid abuse and cognitive performance. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 78(2), 225–230.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mintzer, M. Z., Correia, C. J., & Strain, E. C. (2004). A dose-effect study of repeated administration of buprenorphine/naloxone on performance in opioid-dependent volunteers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 74(2), 205–209.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mintzer, M. Z., & Stitzer, M. L. (2002). Cognitive impairment in methadone maintenance patients. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 67(1), 41–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, S. H. (1999). Measures of impulsivity in cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 146(4), 455–464.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nestler, E. J. (1993). Cellular responses to chronic treatment with drugs of abuse. Critical Reviews in Neurobiology, 7(1), 23–39.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, K. F., Yuen, T. S., & Ng, V. M. (2006). A comparison of postoperative cognitive function and pain relief with fentanyl or tramadol patient-controlled analgesia. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia, 18(3), 205–210.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nye, H. E., & Nestler, E. J. (1996). Induction of chronic Fos-related antigens in rat brain by chronic morphine administration. Molecular Pharmacology, 49(4), 636–645.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, C. P., Volkow, N., & Li, T. K. (2006). What’s in a word? Addiction versus dependence in DSM-V. American Journal of Psychiatry, 163(5), 764–765.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ornstein, T. J., Iddon, J. L., Baldacchino, A. M., Sahakian, B. J., London, M., Everitt, B. J., et al. (2000). Profiles of cognitive dysfunction in chronic amphetamine and heroin abusers. Neuropsychopharmacology, 23(2), 113–126.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pakesch, G., Loimer, N., Grunberger, J., Pfersmann, D., Linzmayer, L., & Mayerhofer, S. (1992). Neuropsychological findings and psychiatric symptoms in HIV-1 infected and noninfected drug users. Psychiatry Research, 41(2), 163–177.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Petry, N. M., Bickel, W. K., & Arnett, M. (1998). Shortened time horizons and insensitivity to future consequences in heroin addicts. Addiction, 93(5), 729–738.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickens, R. W., Preston, K. L., Miles, D. R., Gupman, A. E., Johnson, E. O., Newlin, D. B., et al. (2001). Family history influence on drug abuse severity and treatment outcome. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 61(3), 261–270.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pirastu, R., Fais, R., Messina, M., Bini, V., Spiga, S., Falconieri, D., et al. (2006). Impaired decision-making in opiate-dependent subjects: Effect of pharmacological therapies. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 83(2), 163–168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Preston, K. L., Jasinski, D. R., & Testa, M. (1991). Abuse potential and pharmacological comparison of tramadol and morphine. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 27(1), 7–17.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rapeli, P., Kivisaari, R., Autti, T., Kahkonen, S., Puuskari, V., Jokela, O., et al. (2006). Cognitive function during early abstinence from opioid dependence: A comparison to age, gender, and verbal intelligence matched controls. BMC Psychiatry, 6, 9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reisine, T. (1995). Opiate receptors. Neuropharmacology, 34(5), 463–472.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ridenour, T. A., Maldonado-Molina, M., Compton, W. M., Spitznagel, E. L., & Cottler, L. B. (2005). Factors associated with the transition from abuse to dependence among substance abusers: Implications for a measure of addictive liability. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 80(1), 1–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez-Llera, M. C., Domingo-Salvany, A., Brugal, M. T., Silva, T. C., Sanchez-Niubo, A., & Torrens, M. (2006). Psychiatric comorbidity in young heroin users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 84(1), 48–55.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, J. S., Branchey, M., Buydens-Branchey, L., Stapleton, J. M., Chasten, K., Werrell, A., et al. (1996). Cerebral perfusion in early and late opiate withdrawal: A technetium-99m-HMPAO SPECT study. Psychiatry Research, 67(1), 39–47.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rotheram-Fuller, E., Shoptaw, S., Berman, S. M., & London, E. D. (2004). Impaired performance in a test of decision-making by opiate-dependent tobacco smokers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 73(1), 79–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rounsaville, B. J., Jones, C., Novelly, R. A., & Kleber, H. (1982). Neuropsychological functioning in opiate addicts. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 170(4), 209–216.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rounsaville, B. J., Kosten, T. R., Weissman, M. M., Prusoff, B., Pauls, D., Anton, S. F., et al. (1991). Psychiatric disorders in relatives of probands with opiate addiction. Archives of General Psychiatry, 48(1), 33–42.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • SAMHSA (2006). Results from the 2005 national survey on drug use and health: National findings. Rockville, MD.

  • SAMHSA (2007). The DASIS report: Heroin—changes in how it is used: 1995–2005. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schottenfeld, M. A. (1999). Open capsulorrhaphy with suture anchors for recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 27(1), 122.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sedo, M. A. (2004a). [‘5 digit test’: a multilinguistic non-reading alternative to the Stroop test]. Revista de Neurologia, 38(9), 824–828.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sedo, M. A. (2004b). [SENTREP test: two lists of sentences of equal length to check the attention and the presence of linguistic maturity problems]. Revista de Neurologia, 38(10), 924–927.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sell, L. A., Morris, J., Bearn, J., Frackowiak, R. S., Friston, K. J., & Dolan, R. J. (1999). Activation of reward circuitry in human opiate addicts. European Journal of Neuroscience, 11(3), 1042–1048.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silvasti, M., Svartling, N., Pitkanen, M., & Rosenberg, P. H. (2000). Comparison of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with tramadol versus morphine after microvascular breast reconstruction. European Journal of Anaesthesiology, 17(7), 448–455.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silveri, M. M., Pollack, M. H., Diaz, C. I., Nassar, L. E., Mendelson, J. H., Yurgelun-Todd, D. A., et al. (2004). Cerebral phosphorus metabolite and transverse relaxation time abnormalities in heroin-dependent subjects at onset of methadone maintenance treatment. Psychiatry Research, 131(3), 217–226.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sklair-Tavron, L., Shi, W. X., Lane, S. B., Harris, H. W., Bunney, B. S., & Nestler, E. J. (1996). Chronic morphine induces visible changes in the morphology of mesolimbic dopamine neurons. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 93(20), 11202–11207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stapleton, J. M., Morgan, M. J., Phillips, R. L., Wong, D. F., Yung, B. C., Shaya, E. K., et al. (1995). Cerebral glucose utilization in polysubstance abuse. Neuropsychopharmacology, 13(1), 21–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strain, E. C., Stitzer, M. L., Liebson, I. A., & Bigelow, G. E. (1994). Comparison of buprenorphine and methadone in the treatment of opioid dependence. American Journal of Psychiatry, 151(7), 1025–1030.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strain, E. C., Stoller, K., Walsh, S. L., & Bigelow, G. E. (2000). Effects of buprenorphine versus buprenorphine/naloxone tablets in non-dependent opioid abusers. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 148(4), 374–383.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strang, J., & Gurling, H. (1989). Computerized tomography and neuropsychological assessment in long-term high-dose heroin addicts. British Journal of Addiction, 84(9), 1011–1019.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tassain, V., Attal, N., Fletcher, D., Brasseur, L., Degieux, P., Chauvin, M., et al. (2003). Long term effects of oral sustained release morphine on neuropsychological performance in patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Pain, 104(1–2), 389–400.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trujillo, K. A. (1995). Effects of noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists on opiate tolerance and physical dependence. Neuropsychopharmacology, 13(4), 301–307.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trujillo, K. A. (2000). Are NMDA receptors involved in opiate-induced neural and behavioral plasticity? A review of preclinical studies. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 151(2–3), 121–141.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verdejo, A., Toribio, I., Orozco, C., Puente, K. L., & Perez-Garcia, M. (2005). Neuropsychological functioning in methadone maintenance patients versus abstinent heroin abusers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 78(3), 283–288.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Volkow, N. D., Fowler, J. S., Wang, G. J., & Swanson, J. M. (2004). Dopamine in drug abuse and addiction: Results from imaging studies and treatment implications. Molecular Psychiatry, 9(6), 557–569.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Volkow, N. D., Wang, G. J., Fowler, J. S., Logan, J., Hitzemannn, R., Gatley, S. J., et al. (1996). Cocaine uptake is decreased in the brain of detoxified cocaine abusers. Neuropsychopharmacology, 14(3), 159–168.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warner, L. A., Kessler, R. C., Hughes, M., Anthony, J. C., & Nelson, C. B. (1995). Prevalence and correlates of drug use and dependence in the United States. Results from the National Comorbidity Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry, 52(3), 219–229.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiesbeck, G. A., & Taeschner, K. L. (1991). A cerebral computed tomography study of patients with drug-induced psychoses. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 241(2), 88–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wise, R. A. (1987). The role of reward pathways in the development of drug dependence. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 35(1–2), 227–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zacny, J. P. (2003). Characterizing the subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of a hydrocodone combination product (Hycodan) in non-drug-abusing volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 165(2), 146–156.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zacny, J. P. (2005). Profiling the subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of tramadol in recreational drug users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 80(2), 273–278.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zacny, J. P., & Gutierrez, S. (2003). Characterizing the subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of oral oxycodone in non-drug-abusing volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 170(3), 242–254.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zacny, J. P., Gutierrez, S., & Bolbolan, S. A. (2005). Profiling the subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of a hydrocodone/acetaminophen product in recreational drug users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 78(3), 243–252.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by NIH grants DA12483 (DYT), DA 021422 (DYT, SAG, MMS) and AA014651 (MMS). The authors wish to thank Ms. Alexandria McCaffrey for her valuable assistance in preparing this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA

    Staci A. Gruber, Marisa M. Silveri & Deborah A. Yurgelun-Todd

Authors
  1. Staci A. Gruber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marisa M. Silveri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Deborah A. Yurgelun-Todd
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Deborah A. Yurgelun-Todd.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gruber, S.A., Silveri, M.M. & Yurgelun-Todd, D.A. Neuropsychological Consequences of Opiate Use. Neuropsychol Rev 17, 299–315 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-007-9041-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-007-9041-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation