Pearson-Dennett Verity, Flavel Stanley C, Wilcox Robert A, Thewlis Dominic, Vogel Adam P, White Jason M, Todd Gabrielle
School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences and Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, South Australia, Australia.
Department of Neurology, Flinders Medical Centre, South Australia, Australia; Human Physiology, Medical School, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia.
PLoS One. 2014 Dec 29;9(12):e115771. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115771. eCollection 2014.
Use of illicit stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy are a significant worldwide problem. However, little is known about the effect of these drugs on movement. The aim of the current study was to investigate hand function in adults with a history of illicit stimulant use. We hypothesized that prior use of illicit stimulant drugs is associated with abnormal manipulation of objects. The study involved 22 subjects with a history of illicit stimulant use (aged 29±8 yrs; time since last use: 1.8±4.0 yrs) and two control groups comprising 27 non-drug users (aged 25±8 yrs) and 17 cannabis users with no history of stimulant use (aged 22±5 yrs). Each subject completed screening tests (neuropsychological assessment, medical history questionnaire, lifetime drug history questionnaire, and urine drug screen) prior to gripping and lifting a light-weight object with the dominant right hand. Horizontal grip force, vertical lift force, acceleration, and first dorsal interosseus electromyographic (EMG) activity were recorded during three trials. In trial one, peak grip force was significantly greater in the stimulant group (12.8±3.9 N) than in the control groups (non-drug: 10.3±4.6 N; cannabis: 9.4±2.9 N, P<0.022). However, peak grip force did not differ between groups in trials two and three. The results suggest that individuals with a history of stimulant use overestimate the grip force required to manipulate a novel object but, are able to adapt grip force in subsequent lifts. The results suggest that movement dysfunction may be an unrecognized consequence of illicit stimulant use.
使用甲基苯丙胺、可卡因和摇头丸等非法兴奋剂药物是一个重大的全球性问题。然而，人们对这些药物对运动的影响知之甚少。本研究的目的是调查有非法兴奋剂使用史的成年人的手部功能。我们假设，先前使用非法兴奋剂药物与物体操作异常有关。该研究涉及22名有非法兴奋剂使用史的受试者（年龄29±8岁；距上次使用时间：1.8±4.0年）以及两个对照组，其中包括27名非药物使用者（年龄25±8岁）和17名无兴奋剂使用史的大麻使用者（年龄22±5岁）。在每位受试者用优势右手抓握并提起一个轻质物体之前，他们都完成了筛查测试（神经心理学评估、病史问卷、终生药物史问卷和尿液药物筛查）。在三次试验过程中记录水平握力、垂直举力、加速度和第一背侧骨间肌肌电图（EMG）活动。在试验一中，兴奋剂组的峰值握力（12.8±3.9牛顿）显著高于对照组（非药物组：10.3±4.6牛顿；大麻组：9.4±2.9牛顿，P<0.022）。然而，在试验二和试验三中，各组之间的峰值握力没有差异。结果表明，有兴奋剂使用史的个体高估了操作新物体所需的握力，但能够在随后的提起过程中调整握力。结果表明，运动功能障碍可能是非法使用兴奋剂未被认识到的后果。
