Volume : VIII, Issue : VIII, August - 2018

To see neuropsychological functioning of Substance Abusers

Dr. Rupesh Chaudhary, Dr. Pankaj Kumar, Dr. B. P. Mishra

Abstract :

Introduction– Chronic use of psychoactive substance is associated with wide–spread deficits in neuropsychological functioning. The prevalence of cognitive impairment varies from 30–80%. The major ain regions affected are dorso–prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulated cortex. This study was aimed to see neuropsychological functioning of Substance Abusers. Material and Methods– The study was conducted on 50 known substance dependent patients diagnosed as per ICD–10 criteria at Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. After obtaining consent, patients were evaluated for cognitive functioning with PGI Battery of Brain Dysfunction designed for Indian population by DwarkaPershad and Santosh K. Verma(3rd edition 2015). The battery includes five subtests– Memory Scale, Revised Bhatia’s short battery of performance tests of intelligence, Nahor Benson test, Verbal adult intelligence scale and Bender visual motor gestalt test. Patients with head injury, seizure disorder and any other psychiatric disorder on Axis– I were excluded. Results– In present study severe dysfunction were found  in overall intellectual functioning. In Bender visuo–motor coordination major areas indicating dysfunction were perseveration, rotation and added angles which reveals that fine motor movements of patient are highly disorganized . They were also showing problem in abstract thinking and reasoning in day to day life. They performed poorly on performance IQ parameter where visuo–motor coordination and analytical capacities are highly required.  These findings are clearly supporting frontal lobe dysfunction which are very important for executive functioning of day to day life  which in turn requires more extensive management strategies so that relapse can be prevented. Conclusion– Since relapse is major problem in treating drug addicts, the present study reveals dysfunction in the areas which are inhibiting the patient to live their life independently. These areas should be focused  to prevent relapse.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Dr. Rupesh Chaudhary, Dr.Pankaj Kumar, Dr.B.P. Mishra, To see neuropsychological functioning of Substance Abusers, INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH : Volume-8 | Issue-8 | August-2018

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