Translational Psychiatry
May 21, 2026
Francesco Bavato, Andrea E. Steuer, Anna M. Jacobsen et al.
Methamphetamine (METH, "Crystal Meth") and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") are two types of substituted amphetamines that share structural-chemical similarities but exhibit contrasting acute and chronic effects including addictive liability. Tryptophan (TRY) pathways are involved in pleiotropic physiological functions at the interface of brain-body connections. Preclinical...
Brain
October 19, 2025
Rebecca C Coray, Vincent Beliveau, Josua Zimmermann et al.
1 citation
Regular recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") has been consistently linked to verbal memory dysfunctions, whose neurobiological origins remain unclear. Although neurochemical, structural, and functional alterations resulting from repeated MDMA intake have been identified in user populations, only limited knowledge exists regarding potential interrelationships...
Psychological Medicine
August 26, 2025
Lydia Johnson-Ferguson, Michelle Loher, Laura Bechtiger et al.
2 citations
Cannabis use in young adulthood is common, yet few studies have explored how it predicts changes in psychopathology and functional well-being in community samples. We assessed these links using both self-reported frequency of cannabis use and hair THC concentrations. Data came from a community sample of young adults (N = 863) who reported cannabis use (weekly-to-daily use: n = 150) and provided...
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
June 1, 2024
Amelie Zacher, Josua Zimmermann, David M. Cole et al.
10 citations
Methamphetamine (METH, "Crystal Meth") and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") share structural-chemical similarities but have distinct psychotropic profiles due to specific neurochemical actions. Previous research has suggested that their impact on social cognitive functions and social behaviour may differ significantly, however, direct comparisons of METH and MDMA users...
NeuroImage. Clinical
2024
Antje Opitz, Josua Zimmermann, David M. Cole et al.
2 citations
In stimulant use and addiction, conflict control processes are crucial for regulating substance use and sustaining abstinence, which can be particularly challenging in social-affective situations. Users of methamphetamine (METH, "Ice") and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") both experience impulse control deficits, but display different social-affective and addictive profiles....
NeuroImage: Clinical
September 19, 2022
Josua Zimmermann, Nicole Friedli, Francesco Bavato et al.
14 citations
3,4–Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”) is a serotonin- and noradrenaline-releasing substance, currently among the most widely used illicit substances worldwide. In animal studies, repeated exposure to MDMA has been associated with dendritic but also axonal degeneration in the brain. However, translation of the axonal findings, specifically, to humans has been repeatedly questioned...
European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology
October 1, 2017
Michael D. Wunderli, Matthias Vonmoos, Marina Fürst et al.
37 citations
Chronic use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") has repeatedly been associated with deficits in working memory, declarative memory, and executive functions. However, previous findings regarding working memory and executive function are inconclusive yet, as in most studies concomitant stimulant use, which is known to affect these functions, was not adequately controlled for....