MDMA affects both error-rate dependent and independent aspects of decision-making in a two-choice prediction task
Franz X. Vollenweider, Matthias E. Liechti, Martin P. Paulus
Journal of Psychopharmacology June 27, 2005 DOI: 10.1177/0269881105053287 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized crossover design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | Normal, healthy volunteers |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 1.5 mg/kg p.o. |
| Duration | 120 minutes after administration |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Citations | 24 |
| Key points | MDMA increased the influence of previous responses and stimuli on current choices, especially at low error rates, without altering basic response characteristics. |
Abstract
Decision-making, i.e. selecting an action from a number of alternatives when the outcome is uncertain, is a complex process that is important for everyday life. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as 'Ecstasy', is a widely used recreational drug that is known to increase serotonin (5-HT) and, to a lesser extent, dopamine (DA) in animals. This study examined whether MDMA alters decision-making in a way that depends on the degree of success and outcome.Forty-two normal, healthy volunteers were given placebo or 1.5mg/kg p.o. MDMA in a randomized crossover design. Subjects completed the two-choice prediction task 120min after administration of the drug. Decision-making characteristics were obtained at 20% error rate, 50% error rate or 80% error rate.MDMA affected decision-making via a process that is dependent on success or failure. Administration of MDMA increased the degree to which the previous response predicted the current response (mutual information) and the average response sequence predictability (average dynamical entropy) at low error rates. MDMA increased the degree to which the previous stimulus influenced the selection of the current response at 20%, 50% or 80% error rate. MDMA did not significantly alter basic response characteristics such as response latency or switching. Self-assessment of the psychological state induced by MDMA did not predict the MDMA induced decision-making patterns. These results support the hypothesis that acute administration of MDMA affects success-related response selection during decision-making.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- 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
- Current Perspective on MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy January 6, 2018
- The Altered States Database: Psychometric data from a systematic literature review. Scientific Data November 23, 2022
- MDMA-induced impairment in primates: antagonism by a selective norepinephrine or serotonin, but not by a dopamine/norepinephrine transport inhibitor Journal of Psychopharmacology January 21, 2008
- Does ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) induce subjective feelings of social connection in humans? A multilevel meta-analysis PLoS One October 25, 2021
and 9 more in the library
Cites 5
- The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Pharmacopsychiatry July 1, 1998
- Gender differences in the subjective effects of MDMA Psychopharmacology March 5, 2001
- Pharmacology of MDMA in Humans Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences September 1, 2000
- The serotonin uptake inhibitor citalopram reduces acute cardiovascular and vegetative effects of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’) in healthy volunteers Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2000
- Acute Psychological Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”) are Attenuated by the Serotonin Uptake Inhibitor Citalopram Neuropsychopharmacology May 1, 2000