Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits
@article{Parrott1998CognitivePI, title={Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits}, author={Andrew C. Parrott and A. J. Lees and Nathan Garnham and M. Jones and Keith A Wesnes}, journal={Journal of Psychopharmacology}, year={1998}, volume={12}, pages={79 - 83} }
Cognitive task performance was assessed in three groups of young people: 10 regular users of 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) who had taken 'ecstasy' 10 times or more; 10 novice MDMA users who had taken 'ecstasy' one to nine times; and 10 control subjects who had never taken MDMA. A computerized battery of cognitive tasks (Cognitive Drug Research system) was undertaken on a day when subjects were drug free. Performance on the response speed and vigilance measures (simple reaction time…
245 Citations
Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA)
- PsychologyJournal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
- 2000
The data suggest that even typical recreational doses of ecstasy are sufficient to cause neurotoxicity in humans, and raise concern that use of ecstasy possibly in conjunction with cannabis may lead to cognitive decline in otherwise healthy young people.
Memory deficits in abstinent MDMA (ecstasy) users: neuropsychological evidence of frontal dysfunction
- Psychology, BiologyJournal of psychopharmacology
- 2006
The results suggest that the memory de.cits of MDMA users are not only the result of a temporal or hippocampal dysfunction, but also of a dysfunction of regions within the frontal cortex.
Executive function in abstinent MDMA ('ecstasy') users.
- Psychology, MedicineMedical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
- 2001
Cognitive performance and serotonergic function in users of ecstasy
- PsychologyPsychopharmacology
- 2000
Evidence is provided that use of ecstasy may be associated with impairment of memory and of serotonergic function, compatible with neurotoxicity of ecstasy as shown in animals.
Prospective memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users
- PsychologyCognitive neuropsychiatry
- 2003
The results of this study indicate that the ability to recall a future appointment may be related to the frequency of MDMA use and the absolute number of times MDMA was used, and the relation between the neurotransmitter serotonin and the component processes of memory is investigated.
Human Research on MDMA (3,4-Methylene- dioxymethamphetamine) Neurotoxicity: Cognitive and Behavioural Indices of Change
- Psychology, BiologyNeuropsychobiology
- 2000
This particular pattern of cognitive decrements in humans is consistent with the animal data on those brain areas showing serotonergic damage following MDMA: the frontal cortex (impulsivity and higher cognitive impairments), and hippocampus (memory deficits).
Neurocognitive impairments in MDMA and other drug users: MDMA alone may not be a cognitive risk factor
- Psychology, MedicineJournal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology
- 2010
It is suggested that moderate MDMA use does not lead to persistent impairments above and beyond that associated with generally heavy drug use, but polydrug use may lead to dose-related temporal and frontoparietal dysfunction.
Learning, Memory, and Executive Function in New MDMA Users: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study
- PsychologyFront. Neurosci.
- 2015
It seems that MDMA use can impair visual paired associates learning in new users, however, the groups differed in their use of concomitant use of illicit drugs, and performance differences between the groups cannot completely ascribed to the use of MDMA.
Recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ‘ecstasy’: evidence for cognitive impairment
- PsychologyPsychological Medicine
- 2001
The observed deficits provide further evidence of impairments of verbal but not visual memory in MDMA users, and indicate that the deficits are not attributable either to differences in general reasoning ability or to impairment of working memory.
The relative contributions of ecstasy and cannabis to cognitive impairment
- Biology, PsychologyPsychopharmacology
- 2001
The results suggest that cannabis is an important confound in studies of MDMA-related cognitive impairment, and that previously reported cognitive impairment in MDMA users may have been caused by coincident cannabis use.
References
SHOWING 1-10 OF 31 REFERENCES
Chronic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use: effects on mood and neuropsychological function?
- Psychology, BiologyThe American journal of drug and alcohol abuse
- 1992
Concern is raised about possible detrimental effects of MDMA use on neuropsychological function for future systematic study and important issues regarding the effects of 5-HT deficits on cognitive function and mood regulation are highlighted.
Mood and cognitive effects of +/-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy'): week-end 'high' followed by mid-week low.
- PsychologyAddiction
- 1997
Weekend use of MDMA may lead to depressed mood mid-week, and possible mechanisms underlying the findings are discussed in terms of temporary depletion of serotonin, serotonergic neurotoxity and psychological aspects of mood change.
Ecstasy (MDMA) in Recreational Users: Self‐Reported Psychological and Physiological Effects
- Psychology
- 1997
Twenty recreational drug users were asked to describe the psychological and physiological effects they experienced under MDMA (3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine). The subjects comprised 11 males and…
Effects of MDMA on Complex Brain Function in Laboratory Animals
- Psychology, BiologyNeuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
- 1997
Subjective effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in recreational users.
- PsychologyNeuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
- 1988
These observations should be considered preliminary, they represent the first documentation of the subjective effects of MDMA in recreational users and confirm previous reports obtained from patients treated with this drug.
Behavioral and neurochemical effects of chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) treatment in rhesus monkeys.
- Biology, PsychologyNeurotoxicology and teratology
- 1995
Ecstasy (MDMA), amphetamine, and LSD: comparative mood profiles in recreational polydrug users
- Psychology
- 1997
Twenty‐one recreational polydrug users (age range: 17–34 years), were recruited into the study using the ‘snowball’ technique (Solowij et al., 1992). All had used MDMA…
Serotonin Neurotoxicity after (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; “Ecstasy”): A Controlled Study in Humans
- Biology, PsychologyNeuropsychopharmacology
- 1994
Differences in personality support the view that 5-HT systems are involved in modulating impulsive and aggressive personality traits and suggest that5-HT neurotoxicity may be a potential complication of MDMA use.
Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of 'Ecstacy' users and their experiences with the drug.
- PsychologyBritish journal of addiction
- 1992
The research revealed that Ecstasy is primarily used by infrequent recreational drug users for 'fun' at dance parties and social gatherings and tolerance was reported to develop to the positive effects of Ecstasy, while negative effects increased with use.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy"): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans.
- Biology, PsychologyAddiction
- 1994
Improved recognition of MDMA-related syndromes is hoped to provide insight into the function of serotonin in the human brain, in health as well as disease.