The impact of heroin on visual memory

S. Martinovic Mitrovic*, N. Vuckovic*, A. Dickov*, D. Mitrovic*, V. Dickov**, D. Dragin*, J. Markovic*, D. Budiša*

Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Institute of Psychiatry, Novi Sad (Serbia); *European University, Faculty for International Management, Beograd (Serbia); **Institute of Oncology Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica (Serbia)

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• Psychology

Introduction and Aim: Heroin abuse can lead to organic damage of cerebral structures, including sequels in cognitive and affective sphere, which are in positive relation with the duration of substance usage. Memory is one of the cognitive functions which is highly sensitive to opiate toxic effects. The aim of this research was determination of heroin impact on the visual memory of addicts, as well as the existence of specific relation of potential deficiencies in visual memory with the duration of substance use.

Methods: The research included 90 examinees, divided into three groups, depending on the duration of heroin intake. We used questionnaire for basic socio-demographic and addictological traits of examinees; Wechsler’s scale for the assessment of the intelligence and Visual Memory Test (TVP), for the assessment of the visual memory.

Results: The achievements of heroin addicts with different duration of the substance abuse differ significantly (F = 1.83; df = 12; p Conclusion: Heroin abuse leads to damage of delayed visual memory, whereby for the observed effect intake of the substance for a period longer than one year is necessary.

Corresponding Author: Sladjana Martinovic Mitrovic, MD; e-mail: mitrovic.sd@gmail.com

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