The effects of inhalant misuse on attentional networks

Dev Neuropsychol. 2013;38(2):126-36. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2012.745547.

Abstract

Inhalant misuse among adolescents is poorly understood from a neuropsychological perspective. This study aimed to identify attentional deficits related to inhalant misuse measured with the Attention Network Test (ANT). We examined three groups: 19 inhalant users, 19 cannabis users, and 18 community controls. There were no group differences on the ANT measures of orienting, alerting, and executive control. However, compared to the cannabis and control groups, inhalant users demonstrated an increased rate of response errors in the absence of any reaction time differences. These differences may reflect a selective deficit in sustained attention or greater impulsivity in the inhalant group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attention / drug effects*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Cognition Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhalant Abuse / complications*
  • Male
  • Marijuana Smoking / adverse effects
  • Reaction Time
  • Young Adult