Aerobic Exercise Enhances Inhibitory Control Of Methamphetamine Dependents

Objective The study was designed to investigate the impact of aerobic exercise on inhibitory control of methamphetamine(MA) dependents.Methods: Behavioral data and event-related potentials(N2 & P3) by completing a modified Go/Nogo task were firstly collected from MA group and healthy control group to demonstrate characteristics of impaired inhibitory control of MA dependents. Then two MA groups, one of which completing 30-minute acute aerobic exercise and the other remaining seated during the same time, finished the identical Go/Nogo task after intervention.Results:(1) MA group exhibited significant lower Nogo accuracy(p<0.05) and slower reaction time(p<0.001); After intervention, a significant increase in Nogo accuracy was found in MA dependents;(2) A group main effect was found in Go P3 amplitude. MA dependents showed significant lower P3 amplitude than control group(p<0.01), after intervention, Go P3 amplitude was higher in exercise group than in control group(p<0.05);(3) No main effects or interaction effects were found in Go N2 amplitude;(4) No main effects or interaction effects were found in Nogo P3 amplitude;(5) Nogo N2 amplitude activated by neutral stimulus in MA dependents was significantly lower than in control group at Fz site(p<0.001); after intervention, Nogo N2 amplitude in exercise group was significantly higher than control group;(6) No specified results were found in MA dependents regarding to MA related stimulus.Conclusion:(1) Inhibitory control is generally impaired in MA dependents, indexed by behavioral and neuroelectric results;(2) Acute aerobic exercise may contribute to treating substance dependence by enhencing inhibitiory control. The facilitation was not only in early inhibitory stagem but also in later attention allowcation stage.