Neuropsychological function is improved among opioid dependent adults who adhere to opiate agonist treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone: A preliminary study

Abstract

Background: Among persons with opioid use disorder (OUD), neuropsychological dysfunction is associated with depression, and better neuropsychological function is associated with opioid abstinence. However, it is unknown whether depressive symptomatology or adherence to opiate agonist treatment are associated with neuropsychological change over time. Methods: We recruited 20 buprenorphine/naloxone-treated adults with OUD (M Age=45.2years [SD=8.1]; 25% female) to complete baseline and 6 month visits containing a neuropsychological test battery and self-reported measures of depressive symptomatology and medication adherence. Results: Depressive symptomatology was not significantly related to neuropsychological change (p's>.05). Greater adherence to buprenorphine/naloxone was associated with improvements in learning, memory, and global functioning (r's=.52-60; p's