Intensity dependence of auditory evoked dipole source activity in polydrug ecstasy users: evidence from an 18 months longitudinal study.
Jörg Daumann, Bianca Till, Thomas Fischermann, Markus Rezk, Euphrosyne Gouzoulis‐mayfrank
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) March 2006 DOI: 10.1177/0269881106059733 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Polydrug ecstasy users |
| Duration | 18 months |
| Measures | Loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP), tangential N1/P2 source activity |
| Topics | Addiction MDMA |
| Key findings | Associations between ecstasy use metrics and LDAEP were found at both time points, but no significant relationship between follow-up drug use and AEP changes was observed. The authors suggest, yet do not confirm, that abstinent ecstasy users may have diminished central serotonergic activity. |
Abstract
Numerous animal studies have been able to demonstrate neurotoxic damage to central serotonergic systems after exposure to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy). It has been suggested that a high loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) and, particularly, of the tangential N1/P2 source activity is associated with a low functioning of serotonergic activity. Therefore, the LDAEP may be used as a non-invasive indicator for a possible neurotoxic damage caused by the long-term use of ecstasy in recreational users. We recorded auditory evoked potentials (AEP) with a passive listening paradigm in 18 polydrug ecstasy users at baseline (t1) and after 18 months (t2). Several aspects of ecstasy use, such as frequency of use, cumulative lifetime dose or period of abstinence were associated with the LDAEP for several tangential dipoles at both measuring times. However, we failed to demonstrate any significant relationship between drug use reported at follow-up and AEP changes from baseline to follow-up. Despite some incertitude these data suggest, yet do not unambiguously con.rm, the hypothesis that abstinent ecstasy users present with diminished central serotonergic activity. This feature of information processing is potentially related to the neurotoxic potential of ecstasy. However, alternative interpretations of these data refer to possible preexisting traits and the potential impact of other illicit drugs, particularly amphetamine, since ecstasy users typically exhibit polydrug use patterns. Thus, further research with larger sample sizes and prospective study designs are needed to definitively establish a causative link between ecstasy use and neurotoxicity-related dysfunctions in sensory processing.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death rates from ecstasy (MDMA, MDA) and polydrug use in England and Wales 1996–2002 Ecstasy-related fatalities in England and Wales, August 1996–April 2002 | 2003 | Observational cohort | n = 202 |
| Screened Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder as a Predictor of Substance Use Initiation and Escalation in Early Adulthood and the Role of Self-Reported Conduct Disorder and Sensation Seeking: A 5-Year Longitudinal Study with Young Adult Swiss Men Young Swiss men aged 20 at baseline and 25 at follow-up | 2020 | Observational cohort | |
| Self-reported PTSD is associated with increased use of MDMA in adolescents with substance use disorders German adolescent patients with a substance use disorder | 2021 | Observational cohort | n = 121 |
| Striatal Iron Deposition in Recreational MDMA (Ecstasy) Users. 34 regular, largely pure MDMA users and 36 age-, sex-, and education-matched MDMA-naive... | 2023 | Case-control study | n = 70 |