A signal detection analysis of executive control performance among adolescent inhalant and cannabis users

Background: Inhalant users have multiple comorbid issues (e.g., polydrug use) that complicate identifying inhalant-specific cognitive deficits. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to use signal detection theory to identify inhalant-specific differences in executive control. Methods: We examined three well-matched groups: 19 inhalant users, 19 cannabis users, and 19 controls using Stroop and Go/No-Go tasks. Results: Inhalant users demonstrated significantly lower d-prime scores relative to controls, but not cannabis users, on both tasks, suggesting possible executive deficits relative to controls. Conclusions/Importance: The results of this study raise questions regarding inhalant toxicity and the vulnerability of the adolescent brain to drugs of abuse