Comparison of Working Memory and Response Inhibition in Methamphetamine-Dependent Individuals and Normal Individuals

The aim of this study was the comparison of cognitive processes (working memory and response inhibition) in methamphetamine-dependent individuals. The design of the present study is causal-comparative. The study population was all methamphetamine-dependent individuals and normal participants at Ilam. The sampling method of current research was available sampling. Participants consist of 30 methamphetamine-dependend and 30 normal participants. The color-word Stroop test (type PC) was performed for assessing response inhibition and for assessing working memory and evaluating subtest Wechsler memory span data(computer type) was used. The data were analyzed by multivariate analyses of variance. Results showed that theperformance of methamphetamine-dependent individuals in components digits span was significantly different from the normal group. Also, methamphetamine-dependent individuals in the performance of response inhibition was significantly different from normal, but the components of congruent reaction time and incongruent reaction time and components without incongruent response no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Results showed that the methamphetamine-dependence has significant influence on working memory and inhibitory responses.