Cognitive enhancement as a pharmacotherapy target for stimulant addictiona
Cognitive enhancement as a pharmacotherapy target for stimulant addictionadd_2791 38..48
Mehmet Sofuoglu
Yale University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
ABSTRACT
Background No medications have been proven to be effective for cocaine and methamphetamine addiction. Attenu- ation of drug reward has been the main strategy for medications development, but this approach has not led to effective treatments. Thus, there is a need to identify novel treatment targets in addition to the brain reward system. Aim To propose a novel treatment strategy for stimulant addiction that will focus on medications enhancing cognitive function and attenuating drug reward. Methods Pre-clinical and clinical literature on potential use of cognitive enhancers for stimulant addiction pharmacotherapy was reviewed. Results and conclusions Cocaine and methamphetamine users show significant cognitive impairments, especially in attention, working memory and response inhibition functions. The cognitive impairments seem to be predictive of poor treatment retention and outcome.
