Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA (“Ecstasy”) users: A longitudinal investigation
Konstantine K. Zakzanis, Donald A. Young
Neurology April 10, 2001 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.56.7.966 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | MDMA users |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Neuropsychology Recall Retrospective memory Neuropsychological test Longitudinal study Clinical psychology Episodic memory |
| Citations | 122 |
| Key findings | Continued use of MDMA was associated with progressive decline in immediate and delayed recall. |
Abstract
To examine the neurotoxic potential of continued MDMA ("Ecstasy") use in humans and its functional consequences over the course of 1 year, 15 MDMA users participated in a longitudinal study in which they completed a brief neuropsychological test battery composed mainly of retrospective and prospective memory tasks. Subjects were abstinent for 2 weeks on initial and 1-year testing. Continued use of MDMA was associated with progressive decline in terms of immediate and delayed recall.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 39
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Chronic tolerance to recreational MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or Ecstasy Journal of Psychopharmacology 2005
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- Human psychobiology of MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’: an overview of 25 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental July 1, 2013
- MDMA in humans: factors which affect the neuropsychobiological profiles of recreational ecstasy users, the integrative role of bioenergetic stress Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
and 34 more in the library
Cites 4
- Neurotoxicity of the psychedelic amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1987
- Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Neurology December 1, 1998
- Reorganization of ascending 5-HT axon projections in animals previously exposed to the recreational drug (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") Journal of Neuroscience August 1, 1995
- Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Journal of Psychopharmacology 1998