Background: Illicit stimulant use increases oxidative stress and oxidative stress has been found to be associated with deficits in memory, attention and problem-solving.
Objective: To test a model of the association among oxidative DNA damage, a severe form of oxidative stress, and stimulant use, executive function and stimulant-use outcomes.
Methods: Six sites evaluating 12-step facilitation for stimulant abusers obtained peripheral blood samples from methamphetamine-dependent (n = 45) and cocaine-dependent (n = 120) participants. The blood samples were submitted to a comet assay to assess oxidative DNA damage. Executive Dysfunction was assessed with the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe), which is a reliable and valid self-report assessment of executive dysfunction, disinhibition and apathy. Stimulant-use measures included self-reported stimulant use and stimulant urine drug screens (UDS).
Results: While more recent cocaine use (<30 days abstinence) was associated with greater oxidative DNA damage (W = 2.4, p < 0.05, d = 0.36), the results did not support the hypothesized relationship between oxidative DNA damage, executive dysfunction and stimulant use outcomes for cocaine-dependent patients. Support for the model was found for methamphetamine-dependent patients, with oxidative DNA damage significantly greater in methamphetamine-dependent patients with executive dysfunction (W = 2.2, p < 0.05, d = 0.64) and with executive dysfunction being a significant mediator of oxidative DNA damage and stimulant use during active treatment (ab = 0.089, p < 0.05). As predicted, neither disinhibition nor apathy were significant mediators of oxidative damage and future stimulant use.
Conclusion: These findings provide preliminary support for a model in which oxidative damage resulting from methamphetamine use results in executive dysfunction, which in turn increases vulnerability to future stimulant use.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00628927.