The neuropsychology of ecstasy (MDMA) use: a quantitative review
Konstantine K. Zakzanis, Zachariah Campbell, Diana Jovanovski
Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental September 25, 2007 DOI: 10.1002/hup.873 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | MDMA users |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Neuropsychology |
| Citations | 87 |
| Key findings | MDMA use is associated with small-to-medium neuropsychological impairments across cognitive domains, especially learning and memory, and total lifetime ingestion negatively correlates with performance on attention and memory tasks. |
Abstract
Abstract A growing number of empirical studies have found varying neuropsychological impairments associated with use of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use. We set out to determine to what extent neuropsychological abilities are impaired in MDMA users. To do so, meta‐analytical methods were used to determine the magnitude of neuropsychological impairment in MDMA users across pre‐specified cognitive domains. We found that cognitive impairment secondary to recreational drug use may result in what might be described as small‐to‐medium effects across all cognitive domains with learning and memory being most impaired. We also found that total lifetime ingestion of MDMA appears to be negatively associated with performance on tasks ranging from attention and concentration to learning and memory. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A review of the acute subjective effects of MDMA/ecstasy | 2006 | Systematic review | |
| Adverse events in clinical treatments with serotonergic psychedelics and MDMA: A mixed-methods systematic review Patients in clinical trials with MDMA or serotonergic psychedelics | 2022 | Systematic review | n = 598 |
| Treating posttraumatic stress disorder with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy: A preliminary meta-analysis and comparison to prolonged exposure therapy Patients with PTSD | 2016 | Meta-analysis | |
| Drug-drug interactions between psychiatric medications and MDMA or psilocybin: a systematic review | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| Efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Individuals with chronic, treatment-refractory PTSD | 2020 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 106 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 29
- Durability of improvement in post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and absence of harmful effects or drug dependency after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy: a prospective long-term follow-up study. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2013
- The ugly side of amphetamines: short- and long-term toxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’), methamphetamine and d-amphetamine Biological Chemistry January 2, 2011
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): current perspectives Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation November 1, 2013
- The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Current Neuropharmacology January 5, 2024
- Neural Correlates of the Severity of Cocaine, Heroin, Alcohol, MDMA and Cannabis Use in Polysubstance Abusers: A Resting-PET Brain Metabolism Study PLoS One June 29, 2012
and 24 more in the library
Cites 28
- Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Neurology December 1, 1998
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry June 1, 2000
- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
- Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Journal of Psychopharmacology 1998
and 23 more in the library