Cognitive performance amongst recreational users of "ecstasy"

Rodgers, Jacqui

doi:10.1007/s002130000467

Cited by 196 publications

(196 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…However, latency at the delayed stage of PRM correlated with trait impulsiveness in the ecstasy users but not the controls. The finding that, overall, the ecstasy users did not score worse than controls on this visual episodic memory test was in disagreement with previous findings that visual memory was impaired in ecstasy users (Fox et al 2002;Verkes et al 2001), but was in agreement with other reports finding no impairment (Bhattachary and Powell 2001;Rodgers 2000). However, none of these studies measured impulsivity and also did not control fully for non-ecstasy drug use, making comparison with the present study difficult.…”

Section: Episodic Memorycontrasting

confidence: 85%

Neuropsychological function in ecstasy users: a study controlling for polydrug use

2005

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Rationale: A number of studies have compared ecstasy users to control groups on various measures of neuropsychological function in order to determine whether ecstasy use results in lasting cognitive deficits. However, few of those studies controlled adequately for non-ecstasy illicit drug use. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate neuropsychological function in chronic ecstasy users while controlling for polydrug use. Methods: Neuropsychological function was assessed in four groups-30 current 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) users with a little history of illicit drug use other than ecstasy and cannabis, 30 polydrug controls, 30 drug-naïve controls and 20 ex-MDMA users-using a battery of wellvalidated, computerized neuropsychological tests. The battery focused on memory, executive function, impulsivity and risk-taking. Results: Few differences were apparent between the groups, and on no measure were the current MDMA users impaired significantly relative to the polydrug controls. However, within the current MDMA users, questionnaire-measured impulsivity correlated with performance on a number of tests-a relationship that was not apparent in the controls. Conclusions: These data highlight the complexity in understanding the current ecstasy literature and suggest that some individuals may be particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment following chronic use. Although no differences were identified between the current MDMA users and the controls, trait impulsiveness was significantly correlated with impairment on a number of neuropsychological outcome measures in the MDMA users, but not in the controls. These data suggest that impulsive individuals may be those most at risk for the development of cognitive impairment following chronic ecstasy use.

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Section: Episodic Memorycontrasting

confidence: 85%

Neuropsychological function in ecstasy users: a study controlling for polydrug use

2005

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“…However, by way of mitigation, it is noteworthy that most of the published studies that have probed cognitive deficits among ecstasy users have not resorted to urine, hair, or saliva testing (e.g., Fox et al, 2002;Morgan, 1998;Morgan, 1999;Parrott & Lasky, 1998;Rodgers, 2000). The importance of not over generalising from the present findings must also be stressed.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 82%

The effects of concurrent cannabis use among ecstasy users: neuroprotective or neurotoxic?

Fisk

Montgomery

Wareing

et al. 2006

Human Psychopharmacology

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Edge Hill College of Higher EducationRunning head: concurrent cannabis use among ecstasy users. The research evidence regarding the potential effects of ecstasy suggests that it may be neurotoxic and that its use is associated with cognitive impairment. In recent years evidence has emerged suggesting that cannabinoids, the active ingredients in cannabis, can be neuroprotective under certain conditions. Given that many ecstasy users also consume cannabis at the same time, the possibility emerges that these individuals might be less susceptible to ecstasy-related impairment. The present paper reanalyses the data from a number of previous studies, contrasting the performance of those individuals who generally consume cannabis and ecstasy at the same time with those who generally consume ecstasy on its own. The two ecstasy-using groups are compared with non-ecstasy users on a range of measures including processing speed, random letter generation, verbal and visuo-spatial working memory span, reasoning and associative learning. The two ecstasy user groups did not differ significantly from each other on any of the measures. Both user groups were significantly worse than non-ecstasy users on measures of associative learning, verbal and visuo-spatial working memory, and reasoning. The results suggest that consuming cannabis at the same time as ecstasy does not reduce the likelihood of cognitive impairment.There is abundant evidence that ecstasy (MDMA) is neurotoxic, disrupting serotonergic systems in diverse brain regions. There is also a considerable body of evidence that cannabis can have neuroprotective as well as neurotoxic properties.Given that most ecstasy users are also cannabis users (Morgan, 2000) the question arises as to whether concurrent use of cannabis by ecstasy users might make them less susceptible to MDMA related neurotoxicity. The present paper is intended to investigate this issue.Although there is abundant evidence that MDMA is neurotoxic in a range of animal species, evidence of neurotoxicity in humans is less extensive and sometimes controversial (Curran, 2000). A review of the neuroimaging evidence can be found in Reneman et al (2006). A number of studies have found evidence of neurotoxicity among ecstasy users. For example, using PET neuroimaging, McCann, et al (1998), investigated 5-HT neural damage in the brains of ecstasy users. Regions of interest included the frontal cortex, pariental cortex, temporal cortex, occipital cortex and cingulate cortex, as well as the caudate, putamen, thalamus, mid-brain, pons, hypothalamus and cerebellum. The results showed that, compared to a control group, ecstasy users had significantly lower densities of 5HT transporter sites in all brain regions. Further, the reductions observed were correlated with the extent of ecstasy use. Reneman, et al (2002a) also assessed neural injury in ecstasy users using single-voxel (1H) MR spectroscopy imagining. N-Acetylasportate (NAA)/Creatine (CR), NAA Choline (CHO), and Myoinositol (MI) CR ratios in ecstasy users were meas...

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“…Other studies have also relied on self-report measures of ecstasy use (e.g. Fox et al 2002;Morgan 1998;Morgan 1999;Rodgers 2000). Nonetheless while the questionnaire we used has numerous checks for internal consistency and while we have no reason to doubt the responses of our participants, it would have been more desirable to supplement the self reports with objective measures of recent use (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self reported sleep quality and cognitive performance in ecstasy users

Montgomery

Fisk

Wareing

et al. 2007

Human Psychopharmacology

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Objectives: Research suggests that ecstasy users exhibit psychobiological changes relative to nonusers such as altered sleep patterns and cognitive deficits. In turn, it has been suggested that sleep quality may be a mediator of such cognitive deficits in ecstasy users. The present study sought to investigate this proposed relationship.Methods: Aspects of cognitive functioning in 104 ecstasy users and 103 nonusers obtained from our previous studies were reanalysed to explore the extent to which ecstasy-related group differences were attributable to differences in sleep quality.Cognitive function was assessed via the computation span test, consonant updating, paired associate learning, syllogistic reasoning and word fluency. Sleep quality was measured via the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). Results: Ecstasy users performed worse than nonusers on all cognitive measures. While no differences were observed on the ESS, ecstasy users reported greater tiredness at the beginning of testing than nonusers. When the sleep variables were included as covariates, the effects of ecstasy on all cognitive measures remained significant. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest little evidence for the mediating effects of sleep on cognitive function in ecstasy users.

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Cognitive performance amongst recreational users of "ecstasy"

Abstract: The present study provides additional evidence for longterm neuropsychological sequelae associated with the use of ecstasy, particularly with regard to delayed memory ability.

Cited by 196 publications

References 11 publications

Neuropsychological function in ecstasy users: a study controlling for polydrug use

Neuropsychological function in ecstasy users: a study controlling for polydrug use

The effects of concurrent cannabis use among ecstasy users: neuroprotective or neurotoxic?

Self reported sleep quality and cognitive performance in ecstasy users

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