Syllogistic Reasoning Performance in MDMA (Ecstasy) Users.
Catharine Montgomery, John E. Fisk, Russell Newcombe, Michelle Wareing, Philip N. Murphy
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 2005 DOI: 10.1037/1064-1297.13.2.137 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 48 |
| Population | MDMA users and nonuser controls |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Syllogism Working memory Cognitive psychology Cognition Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 22 |
| Post-publication review | 1 comment on PubPeer (opens in new tab) · last active September 2016 |
| Key findings | MDMA users showed impaired syllogistic reasoning, but the effect was not significant after controlling for working memory span. |
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated working memory and executive deficits in recreational users of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; Ecstasy). In turn, both of these constructs have been implicated in syllogistic reasoning performance. Twenty-two MDMA users (mean age = 21.36) and 26 MDMA nonuser controls (mean age = 21.31) were tested on syllogisms of varying difficulty and on measures of working memory and executive functioning. MDMA users were significantly impaired in aspects of syllogistic reasoning, and the effect remained significant after the authors controlled for the use of other drugs. However, the MDMA-related variance was reduced to below statistical significance following control for group differences in working memory span. The results are consistent with the possibility that MDMA-related deficits in aspects of executive functioning result in impaired reasoning performance among MDMA users.
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 4
- The neuropsychology of ecstasy (MDMA) use: a quantitative review Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental September 25, 2007
- Electrophysiological evidence of atypical processing underlying mental set shifting in ecstasy polydrug and polydrug users. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology December 2013
- The harmful health effects of recreational ecstasy: a systematic review of observational evidence. Health technology assessment January 2009
- Anxiety, depression, and behavioral symptoms of executive dysfunction in ecstasy users: contributions of polydrug use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence March 16, 2007
Cites 5
- Mood and cognitive effects of ± 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’): week‐end ‘high’ followed by mid‐week low Addiction July 1, 1997
- Persistent Effects of (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”) on Human Sleep Sleep September 1, 1993
- Verbal working memory deficits in current and previous users of MDMA Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental May 5, 2004
- Cognitive performance and serotonergic function in users of ecstasy. Psychopharmacology January 1, 2001
- Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of its possible persistent psychological effects Psychopharmacology September 7, 2000