P.6.c.010 Drug -induced changes in performance on the Divided Attention Task in subjects with a history of recreational drug use

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. S581
Author(s):  
S. Harrison ◽  
N. Levy-Cooperman ◽  
B. Danilov ◽  
K. Schoedel
2018 ◽  
Vol 113 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S1286
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Mossad ◽  
Stephen J. Kwak ◽  
Karthikeyan Viswanathan ◽  
Maria Jose Jimenez Cerna

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S267-S267
Author(s):  
Mao Lim ◽  
Graham Blackman ◽  
Anthony David ◽  
Fahmida Mannan

AimsWe present the case of a 25-year-old male who presented to A&E with isolated musical hallucinations, in the absence of audiological or neurological disease.BackgroundMusical hallucinations (MH) are a form of complex auditory hallucinations whereby an individual experiences an instrumental and/or vocal melody in the absence of auditory stimuli.ResultThe patient had a history of recreational drug use and a family history of psychosis. Hallucinations, which were preceded by discontinuation of alcohol and re-initiation of citalopram for depression, resolved spontaneously after three days.ConclusionAetiological factors are discussed alongside the existing literature. Whilst the underlying mechanisms underpinning musical hallucinations remains elusive, the case illustrates the potential role of alcohol withdrawal, serotonin toxicity, recreational drug use and genetic vulnerability.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Graham Blackman ◽  
Mao Fong Lim ◽  
Fahmida Mannan ◽  
Anthony David

We present the case of a 25-year-old male who presented to A&E with isolated musical hallucinations, in the absence of audiological or neurological disease. The patient had a history of recreational drug use and a family history of psychosis. Hallucinations, which were preceded by discontinuation of alcohol and reinitiation of citalopram for depression, resolved spontaneously after three days. Aetiological factors are discussed alongside the existing literature. Whilst the underlying mechanisms underpinning musical hallucinations remain elusive, the case illustrates the potential role of alcohol withdrawal, serotonin toxicity, recreational drug use, and genetic vulnerability.


Author(s):  
Keith Dowding

This chapter examines the history of regulating recreational drugs in the USA, UK and Australia. It shows that the criminalization of recreational drugs is a relatively recent phenomenon, based not on citizen welfare but on fears that drugs affect the nation’s ability to wage war, whilst some early legislation was openly racist. It argues that the continued justification of drug criminalization is moralistic and has racist underpinnings. It suggests that whilst the social problems of recreational drug use are serious, they are no more serious than those of alcohol or gambling, and legalization has many advantages over continued criminalization. It examines the results of drug decriminalization in Portugal, and the likely practicality and social effects should recreational drugs be legalized. It argues that such legalization would also require careful regulation, much as we have for drugs manufactured for medical purposes. It compares the policy stance of governments on recreational drugs to that on the other issues discussed in this book.


2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 235-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid von Bueren Jarchow ◽  
Bogdan P. Radanov ◽  
Lutz Jäncke

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine to what extent chronic pain has an impact on various attentional processes. To measure these attention processes a set of experimental standard tests of the “Testbatterie zur Aufmerksamkeitsprüfung” (TAP), a neuropsychological battery testing different levels of attention, were used: alertness, divided attention, covert attention, vigilance, visual search, and Go-NoGo tasks. 24 chronic outpatients and 24 well-matched healthy control subjects were tested. The control subjects were matched for age, gender, and education. The group of chronic pain patients exhibited marked deficiencies in all attentional functions except for the divided attention task. Thus, the data supports the notion that chronic pain negatively influences attention because pain patients` attention is strongly captivated by the internal pain stimuli. Only the more demanding divided attention task has the capability to distract the focus of attention to the pain stimuli. Therefore, the pain patients are capable of performing within normal limits. Based on these findings chronic pain patients' attentional deficits should be appropriately evaluated and considered for insurance and work related matters. The effect of a successful distraction away from the pain in the divided attention task can also open new therapeutic aspects.


2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Sturm ◽  
B. Fimm ◽  
A. Cantagallo ◽  
N. Cremel ◽  
P. North ◽  
...  

Abstract: In a multicenter European approach, the efficacy of the AIXTENT computerized training programs for intensity aspects (alertness and vigilance) and selectivity aspects (selective and divided attention) of attention was studied in 33 patients with brain damage of vascular and traumatic etiology. Each patient received training in one of two most impaired of the four attention domains. Control tests were performed by means of a standardized computerized attention test battery (TAP) comprising tests for the four attention functions. Assessment was carried out at the beginning and at the end of a four week baseline period and after the training period of 14 one-hour sessions. At the end of the baseline phase, there was only slight but significant improvement for the most complex attention function, divided attention (number of omissions). After the training, there were significant specific training effects for both intensity aspects (alertness and vigilance) and also for the number of omissions in the divided attention task. The application of inferential single case procedures revealed a high number of significant improvements in individual cases after specific training of alertness and vigilance problems. On the other hand, a non specific training addressing selectivity aspects of attention lead either to improvement or deterioration of alertness and vigilance performance. The results corroborate the findings of former studies with the same training instrument but in patients with different lesion etiologies.


Author(s):  
Alison Hutton ◽  
Matthew Brendan Munn ◽  
Sydney White ◽  
Peter Kara ◽  
Jamie Ranse

Abstract Background: Dedicated on-site medical services have long been recommended to improve health outcomes at mass-gathering events (MGEs). In many countries, they are being reviewed as a mandatory requirement. While it is known that perceptions of risk shape substance use plans amongst outdoor music festival (OMF) attendees, it is unclear if attendees perceive the presence of on-site medical services as a part of the safety net. The aim of this paper is to better understand whether attendees’ perceptions of on-site medical services influence high-risk behaviors like alcohol and recreational drug use at OMFs. Method: A questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of attendees entering and attending two separate 20,000-person OMFs; one in Canada (Festival A) and one in New Zealand (Festival B). Responses focused on demographics, planned alcohol and recreational drug use, perceptions of medical services, and whether the absence of medical services would impact attendees’ planned substance use. Results: A total of 851 (587 and 264 attendees for Festival A and Festival B, respectively) attendees consented and participated. Gender distribution was equal and average ages were 23 to 25. At Festival A, 48% and 89% planned to use alcohol and recreational drugs, respectively, whereas at Festival B, it was 92% and 44%. A great majority were aware and supportive of the presence of medical services at both festivals, and a moderate number considered them a factor in attendance and something they would not attend without. There was significant (>10%) agreement (range 11%-46%; or 2,200-9,200 attendees for a 20,000-person festival) at both festivals that the absence of medical services would affect attendees’ planned use of alcohol and recreational drugs. Conclusions: This study found that attendees surveyed at two geographically and musically distinct OMFs had high but differing rates of planned alcohol and recreational drug use, and that the presence of on-site medical services may impact attendees’ perceptions of substance use risk. Future research will aim to address the limitations of this study to clarify these findings and their implications.


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