Journal article

Hand function is altered in individuals with a history of illicit stimulant use

V Pearson-Dennett, SC Flavel, RA Wilcox, D Thewlis, AP Vogel, JM White, G Todd

Plos One | PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE | Published : 2014

Abstract

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 screenin..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council


Funding Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ramaciotti Foundation (GT holds an Establishment Grant; ID2974/2010), National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (GT holds a Career Development Award: ID 627003; APV holds an Early Career Research Fellowship: ID 1012302), Australian Government (VPD holds an Australian Postgraduate Award), and the University of South Australia (GT holds a Research SA Fellowship and Division of Health Sciences Research Grant, SCF held an Australian Postgraduate Award, and VPD holds a Top-up Scholarship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.