Impaired executive function in male MDMA ("ecstasy") users.
Niels Alting Von Geusau, Pieter Stalenhoef, Mariette Huizinga, Jan Snel, K Richard Ridderinkhof
Psychopharmacology September 2004 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-004-1832-8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Long-term MDMA users and controls who abstained from ecstasy and other substances for at least 2 weeks |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Male MDMA users performed significantly worse on tasks tapping cognitive flexibility and combined executive function tasks, with no differences on other tasks; female users showed no impairments. The authors suggest that a history of MDMA use selectively impairs executive function in males, particularly cognitive flexibility and increased perseverative behavior. |
Abstract
Long-term users of ecstasy have shown impaired performance on a multitude of cognitive abilities (most notably memory, attention, executive function). Research into the pattern of MDMA effects on executive functions remains fragmented, however. To determine more systematically what aspects of executive function are affected by a history of MDMA use, by using a model that divides executive functions into cognitive flexibility, information updating and monitoring, and inhibition of pre-potent responses. MDMA users and controls who abstained from ecstasy and other substances for at least 2 weeks were tested with a computerized cognitive test battery to assess their abilities on tasks that measure the three submodalities of executive function, and their combined contribution on two more complex executive tasks. Because of sex-differential effects of MDMA reported in the literature, data from males and females were analyzed separately. Male MDMA users performed significantly worse on the tasks that tap on cognitive flexibility and on the combined executive function tasks; no differences were found on the other cognitive tasks. Female users showed no impairments on any of the tasks. The present data suggest that a history of MDMA use selectively impairs executive function. In male users, cognitive flexibility was impaired and increased perseverative behavior was observed. The inability to adjust behavior rapidly and flexibly may have repercussions for daily life activities.
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 23
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- 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
- Memory deficits in abstinent MDMA (ecstasy) users: neuropsychological evidence of frontal dysfunction Journal of Psychopharmacology March 30, 2006
- MDMA polydrug users show processspecific central executive impairments coupled with impaired social and emotional judgement processes Journal of Psychopharmacology March 30, 2006
- Cognitive performance in recreational ecstasy polydrug users: a two-year follow-up study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 21, 2008
and 18 more in the library
Cites 12
- Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings The Lancet October 1, 1998
- Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Neurology December 1, 1998
- Gender differences in the subjective effects of MDMA Psychopharmacology March 5, 2001
- Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry June 1, 2000
- Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA (“Ecstasy”) users: A longitudinal investigation Neurology April 10, 2001
and 7 more in the library