Ecstasy (MDMA) and memory function: a meta‐analytic update

@article{Laws2007EcstasyA,
  title={Ecstasy (MDMA) and memory function: a meta‐analytic update},
  author={Keith R. Laws and Joy Kokkalis},
  journal={Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental},
  year={2007},
  volume={22}
}
  • K. Laws, Joy Kokkalis
  • Published 1 August 2007
  • Psychology
  • Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental
A meta‐analysis was conducted to examine the impact of recreational ecstasy use on short‐term memory (STM), long‐term memory (LTM), verbal and visual memory. We located 26 studies containing memory data for ecstasy and non‐ecstasy users from which effect sizes could be derived. The analyses provided measures of STM and LTM in 610 and 439 ecstasy users and revealed moderate‐to‐large effect sizes (Cohen's d) of d = −0.63 and d = −0.87, respectively. The difference between STM versus LTM was non… 
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The current meta-analysis adds to the literature by showing that ecstasy use in humans is also associated with impaired working memory, and that this impairment is related to total lifetime ecstasy consumption.
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Results showed a significant group by ProM delay interaction, such that Ecstasy users performed comparably to the comparison groups on short-delay trials, but were impaired on long-delay ProM, particularly for time-based cues.
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TLDR
Past year ecstasy consumption was associated with verbal memory retrieval, retention, and discrimination deficits in a dose-dependent manner in a sample of healthy young adult polydrug users.
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Tests of verbal learning and memory have frequently been used to examine memory performance in frequent 3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine (“ecstasy”) consumers, and meta-analyses have identified…
Verbal Memory Impairment in Polydrug Ecstasy Users: A Clinical Perspective
TLDR
The combination of the acute and long-term findings demonstrates that, while clinically relevant memory impairment is present during intoxication, it is absent during abstinence, which suggests that use of Ecstasy/MDMA does not lead to clinically deficient memory performance in the long term.
Learning and memory deficits in ecstasy users and their neural correlates during a face-learning task
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TLDR
This study in middle-aged ecstasy/polydrug users replicated findings of studies in younger ecstasy users, showing a harmful effect of ecstasy on verbal memory and there was no clear support for an interaction between harmful effects of ecstasy use and age-related memory decline or mid-life depression.
5-HTTLPR Genotype Moderates the Effects of Past Ecstasy Use on Verbal Memory Performance in Adolescent and Emerging Adults: A Pilot Study
TLDR
5-HTTLPR genotype moderated the effects of ecstasy on verbal memory, with L/L carriers performing worse compared to controls, and future research should continue to examine individual differences in ecstasy’s impact on neurocognitive performance as well as relationships with neuronal structure.
Harmful Effects of Recreational Ecstasy Use on Memory Functioning
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A review of accumulating evidence supporting a link between recreational ecstasy use and impaired memory is provided and studies have most consistently shown negative effects on memory.
Recreational Use of Ecstasy (MDMA) and Hippocampal Memory: A Focus on Imaging
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