Impact of Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Use on Neuropsychological Functioning in Young Adulthood: 10-Year Outcomes

• NCJ Number: 234924
• Journal: Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: April-June 2011 Pages: 135-154
• Author(s): Karen L. Hanson; Krista Lisdahl Medina; Claudia B. Padula; Susan F. Tapert; Sandra A. Brown
• Date Published: April 2011
• Length: 20 pages
• Grant Number(s): R37 AA07033; R01 DA021182; T32 AA013525; F32 DA020206
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services; National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Portions of this study were presented at the Research Society on Alcoholism Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 2007.

Annotation

Because of ongoing neuromaturation, youth with chronic alcohol/substance use disorders (AUD/SUD) are at risk for cognitive decrements during young adulthood.

Abstract

The authors prospectively examined cognition over 10 years based on AUD/SUD history. Youth (N = 51) with no AUD/SUD history (n = 14), persisting AUD/SUD (n = 18), or remitted AUD/SUD (n = 19) were followed over 10 years with neuropsychological assessments. Groups were compared at baseline and 10-year follow-up. Both AUD/SUD groups declined in visuospatial construction at year 10 (p = .001). Further, cumulative alcohol use (p less than .01) and drug withdrawal (p less than .05) predicted year-10 visuospatial function. Alcohol use predicted verbal learning/memory (p less than .05), while stimulant use predicted visual learning/memory (p = .01). More recent substance use predicted poorer executive function (p less than .05). In conclusion, heavy alcohol and other substance use from adolescence through young adulthood may produce cognitive disadvantages, including visuospatial and memory decline. Youth with heavy, chronic alcohol use and/or drug withdrawal symptoms may be at particular risk. (Published Abstract)