Prospective memory impairment in “ecstasy” (MDMA) users

Abstract

Prospective memory performance is sensitive to regular and even moderate ecstasy use. Importantly, ecstasy users experience generalized difficulties with prospective memory, suggesting that these deficits are likely to have important implications for day-to-day functioning.

Prospective memory functioning among ecstasy/polydrug users: evidence from the Cambridge Prospective Memory Test (CAMPROMPT)

“…Self report measures of this construct have been developed (e.g., Crawford et al, 2005;Hannon et al, 1995) and in previous research from our laboratory, Fisk and co-workers have demonstrated apparent impairments on these measures among ecstasy/polydrug users (Montgomery & Fisk, 2007) and cannabis only users (Fisk & Montgomery, 2008). Other researchers have also reported deficits on self report PM measures among users of illicit drugs (Heffernan et al, 2001a;2001b;Rodgers et al, 2001; and studies from our own laboratory and elsewhere have revealed deficits among illicit drug users in laboratory measures of PM (Hadjiefthyvoulou et al, in press;Rendell et al, 2007a;Rendell et al, 2009). …”

“…It is the while others areremaining more irregular tasks with that have a more substantial learning requirement. Interestingly ecstasy users performed worse on these irregular virtual week tasks recording 65% of the level of correct responses achieved by nonusers while for regular tasks the percentage was 83% (computed from Table 2; Rendell et al, 2007a). This suggests that performance is indeed adversely affected by the learning component.…”

“…This measure has featured in a number of studies. For example, deficits were observed on this measure among currently abstinent ecstasy users including those who used infrequently (Rendell et al, 2007a). Long term abstinent methamphetamine users were also found to be impaired on the measure relative to a drug naive control group .…”

“…This measure has featured in a number of studies. For example, deficits were observed on this measure among currently abstinent ecstasy users including those who used infrequently (Rendell et al, 2007a). Long term abstinent methamphetamine users were also found to be impaired on the measure relative to a drug naive control group While the virtual week paradigm has its merits, before the PM element can be completed, it is necessary to learn each of the ten particular responses that is paired with specific locations on the board and select the appropriate response from among the set of available alternatives each time a PM action is triggered.…”

Prospective memory deficits in illicit polydrug users are associated with the average long-term typical dose of ecstasy typically consumed in a single session.

“…Although Rendell et al (2007) did not report effects in relation to lifetime dose, they found that frequent ecstasy users (using more than once a fortnight) performed worse than infrequent users (using less than one a month) who in turn performed worse than nonusers on all PM measures on the virtual week task.…”