Mood state and brain electric activity in Ecstasy users
Alex Gamma, Edi Frei, Dietrich Lehmann, Roberto D Pascual-Marqui, Daniel Hell, Franz X. Vollenweider
Neuroreport 2000 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-200001170-00031 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Ecstasy users and Ecstasy-naive controls |
| Topics | Anxiety MDMA |
| Keywords | Mood Electroencephalography Scalp Audiology Electrophysiology Cognition Developmental psychology Anatomy |
| Citations | 81 |
| Key findings | Ecstasy users exhibited global increases in theta, alpha 1, and beta 2/3 power during eyes open, along with higher state depressiveness and emotional excitability. |
Abstract
Resting EEG during open and closed eyes and subsequent mood ratings were obtained from 15 Ecstasy users and 14 Ecstasy-naive controls. Absolute spectral power on the scalp, and the three-dimensional, intracerebral distribution of neuroelectric activity using low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) were computed. LORETA revealed global increases of theta, alpha 1 and beta 2/3 power during eyes open in Ecstasy users, and spectral analyses revealed a right-posterior increase of alpha 2 power (confirmed by LORETA) and increased beta band activity during open eyes. Ecstasy users had higher levels of state depressiveness, emotional excitability and a trend-level increase in state anxiety. The observed differences may be related to regular exposure to Ecstasy or other illicit drugs, or may be pre-existing.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Ecstasy users showed higher state depressiveness and emotional excitability and a trend-level increase in state anxiety, alongside altered resting EEG power.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA for anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 24
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- The confounding problem of polydrug use in recreational ecstasy/MDMA users: a brief overview Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- Localization of MDMA‐induced brain activity in healthy volunteers using low resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) Human Brain Mapping August 27, 2001
- Former chronic methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) users report mild depressive symptoms Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2001
- Cognitive function and mood in MDMA/THC users, THC users and non-drug using controls Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
and 19 more in the library