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Are attention lapses related to d-amphetamine liking?

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Abstract

Rationale

A rich literature suggests that both impulsiveness and drug-induced euphoria are risk factors for drug abuse. However, few studies have examined whether sensitivity to the euphoric effects of stimulants is related to attention lapses, a behavioral measure of inattention sometimes associated with impulsivity.

Objective

The aim of the study was to examine ratings of d-amphetamine drug liking among individuals with high, moderate, and low attention lapses.

Methods

Ninety-nine healthy volunteers were divided into three equal-sized groups based on their performance on a measure of lapses of attention. The groups, who exhibited low, medium, and high attention lapses (i.e., long reaction times) on a simple reaction time task, were compared on their subjective responses (i.e., ratings of liking and wanting more drug) after acute doses of d-amphetamine (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg).

Results

Subjects who exhibited high lapses liked 20 mg d-amphetamine less than subjects who exhibited low lapses. These subjects also tended to report smaller increases in “wanting more drug” after d-amphetamine.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that participants who exhibit impaired attention may be less sensitive to stimulant-induced euphoria.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Margo Meverden and Adam Strohm for their technical contributions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA

    Michael McCloskey

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Michael McCloskey, Abraham A. Palmer & Harriet de Wit

  3. Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Abraham A. Palmer

Authors
  1. Michael McCloskey
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  2. Abraham A. Palmer
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  3. Harriet de Wit
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael McCloskey.

Additional information

This study was supported in part by the National Institute of Drug Abuse grants DA02812, DA09133, and DA021336.

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McCloskey, M., Palmer, A.A. & de Wit, H. Are attention lapses related to d-amphetamine liking?. Psychopharmacology 208, 201–209 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1719-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-009-1719-9

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