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To evaluate the sensitivity of a computerized cognitive-neuromotor test battery in assessing the effects of marijuana (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]), we conducted a study of 10 healthy male volunteers who were experienced marijuana smokers. After extensive training on the performance tasks, each subject was tested on three separate days after smoking a cigarette containing either 1.75% THC, 3.55% THC, or placebo according to a randomized double-blind repeated measures design. Testing was carried out before smoking and 30, 90, and 150 minutes after smoking the cigarette. Of the five tasks employed, the digit-symbol substitution test with memory and the reaction time task were the measures most sensitive to effects of marijuana. We examined the usefulness of the coefficient of variation and effect size as indices of sensitivity to be used across different types of tasks.

The relationship between anorectic drug (stimulant) treatment and subsequent drug abuse in overweight individuals has often been discussed but seldom systematically studied. One hypothesis is that anorectic treatment promotes the likelihood of drug-abuse patterns. The present study involved a group of overweight psychiatric patients (n = 91) who were compared on the basis of whether or not they had used anorectic drugs in the past year and also whether or not they were currently using any form of psychoactive drugs. It was found that the use of anorectic drugs was mainly associated with weight problems, such as dieting difficulties, but not with amount of overweight. Anorectic use and other weight-problem variables do not seem to be strongly related to the psychiatric patient's drug problems.

The relationship between anorectic drug (stimulant) treatment and subsequent drug abuse in overweight individuals has often been discussed but seldom systematically studied. One hypothesis is that anorectic treatment promotes the likelihood of drug-abuse patterns. The present study involved a group of overweight psychiatric patients (n=91) who were compared on the basis of whether or not they had used anorectic drugs in the past year and also whether or not they were currently using any form of psychoactive drugs. It was found that the use of anorectic drugs was mainly associated with weight problems, such as dieting difficulties, but not with amount of overweight. Anorectic use and other weight-problem variables do not seem to be strongly related to the psychiatric patient's drug problems.

Cocaine has been proclaimed the "drug of greatest national public health concern." Recent clinical investigations demonstrate that cocaine causes abuse and withdrawal patterns differing from those of other major abused drugs. These observations converge with preclinical data to suggest that cocaine dependence, rather than being a purely "psychological" addiction, is based in neurophysiological down-regulation in specific central nervous system processes that regulate hedonic (pleasure) responses. Promising new experimental pharmacological treatments have consequently appeared, as have specialized psychotherapeutic approaches to cocaine abuse.