Plasticity of the acoustic startle reflex in currently abstinent ecstasy (MDMA) users.
Karsten Heekeren, Jörg Daumann, Mark A. Geyer, Euphrosyne Gouzoulis‐mayfrank
Psychopharmacology May 2004 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-003-1729-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 43 |
| Population | Currently abstinent ecstasy users and matched control subjects |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | No significant group differences in startle habituation, sensitization, or prepulse inhibition were found, but users with lifetime exposure of 90 or more MDMA pills showed stronger sensitization than lighter users or controls. Correlations with drug-use patterns were not significant. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is neurotoxic upon central serotonin systems in experimental animals and probably also in humans. Serotonin is involved in the habituation, sensitization and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle reflex. To study the plasticity of startle reflex in currently abstinent MDMA users. Electromyographic responses to acoustic startle stimuli (pulse alone and prepulse-pulse trials) were recorded in 23 currently abstinent ecstasy users and 20 matched control subjects. Depending on the extent of their previous drug use ecstasy users were divided into two groups [life-time dose <90 (n=11) and > or =90 pills (n=12), respectively]. There were no significant differences in habituation, sensitization or PPI of the startle reflex between the entire group of ecstasy users and controls. However, sensitization of the startle reflex was stronger in the > or =90 compared with either the <90 MDMA pills or the control group. Correlations between patterns of drug use and startle parameters did not reach the level of significance, although users with a younger age at the onset of MDMA (and other drug) use tended to present with higher sensitization of the startle reflex. Heavy users of MDMA (and other recreational drugs) present with strong sensitization of the startle reflex. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether this finding is secondary to the use of MDMA and its well-recognized neurotoxic potential. Alternatively, strong sensitization might reflect a pre-existing trait predisposing to drug use. A clearer picture of the impact of ecstasy on startle plasticity may be obtained from longitudinal investigations.
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 2
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex and its attentional modulation in the human S-ketamine and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) models of psychosis Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2007
Cites 16
- 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
- Altered Serotonin Innervation Patterns in the Forebrain of Monkeys Treated with (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Seven Years Previously: Factors Influencing Abnormal Recovery Journal of Neuroscience June 15, 1999
- Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry June 1, 2000
- (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals Neuropsychobiology 2000
and 11 more in the library