Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Open Access

Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Neuroscience Institute, South Africa

Biography

Lara J van Nunen is affiliated to Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Neuroscience Institute, South Africa. she is a recipient of many awards and grants for her valuable contributions and discoveries in major area of subject research. Her international experience includes various programs, contributions and participation in different countries for diverse fields of study. Her research interests reflect in her wide range of publications in various national and international journals. 
 

Publications

• Research Article   
  Executive Function and Contingency Management in Methamphetamine Use Disorder
  Author(s): Lara J van Nunen*, Marilyn T Lake, Jonathan C Ipser, Dan J Stein, Steven J Shoptaw and Edythe D London
  
  Objectives: Contingency management is a promising intervention for Methamphetamine Use Disorder (MUD).Impaired executive function may decrease adherence to such treatment, but there are few data on whether impairment in executive function predicts treatment outcomes. We therefore evaluated whether baseline performance on tests of executive function predicted treatment response in a trial of contingency management for MUD. Methods: Thirty participants with MUD and 23 healthy controls performed the Connors Continuous Performance Task (CPT) and the Trail Making Task. MUD participants then entered an 8-week contingency management trial. Participants were categorized as responders (n=17; no methamphetamine-positive urine tests) or non-responders (n=13; >1 positive test). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare scores in participants with MUD.. View More»
  DOI: 10.35248/2329-6488.21.9.342

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