Residual effects of ecstasy (3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine) on low level visual processes
Elizabeth Murray, Raimondo Bruno, John Brown
Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental March 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2218 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case-control study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | 19 ecstasy users (6 ecstasy only, 13 ecstasy-plus-cannabis) and 23 matched controls (9 cannabis-only, 14 drug-naive) |
| Measures | tilt aftereffect paradigm |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Ecstasy users had a significantly greater tilt aftereffect than non-users for real contours (Hedge's g = 0.63) but not for illusory contours (g = 0.20). The authors argue this pattern supports the view that residual ecstasy effects, and reduced serotonin, impair lateral inhibition between orientation-selective neurons in V1, while suggesting ecstasy may not substantially affect this process in V2. |
Abstract
‘Ecstasy’ (3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine) induces impaired functioning in the serotonergic system, including the occipital lobe. This study employed the ‘tilt aftereffect’ paradigm to operationalise the function of orientation‐selective neurons among ecstasy consumers and controls as a means of investigating the role of reduced serotonin on visual orientation processing. The magnitude of the tilt aftereffect reflects the extent of lateral inhibition between orientation‐selective neurons and is elicited to both ‘real’ contours, processed in visual cortex area V1, and illusory contours, processed in V2. The magnitude of tilt aftereffect to both contour types was examined among 19 ecstasy users (6 ecstasy only; 13 ecstasy‐plus‐cannabis users) and 23 matched controls (9 cannabis‐only users; 14 drug‐naive). Ecstasy users had a significantly greater tilt magnitude than non‐users for real contours (Hedge'sg = 0.63) but not for illusory contours (g = 0.20). These findings provide support for literature suggesting that residual effects of ecstasy (and reduced serotonin) impairs lateral inhibition between orientation‐selective neurons in V1, which however suggests that ecstasy may not substantially affect this process in V2. Multiple studies have now demonstrated ecstasy‐related deficits on basic visual functions, including orientation and motion processing. Such low‐level effects may contribute to the impact of ecstasy use on neuropsychological tests of visuospatial function. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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
- Recreational 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or 'ecstasy': Current perspective and future research prospects. Journal of Psychopharmacology August 2017
- Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder and the serotonergic system: a comprehensive review including new MDMA-related clinical cases. European Neuropsychopharmacology August 2014
Cites 10
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- A Voxel-Based PET Investigation of the Long-Term Effects of “Ecstasy” Consumption on Brain Serotonin Transporters American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 2004
- The confounding problem of polydrug use in recreational ecstasy/MDMA users: a brief overview Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 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
- Psilocybin impairs high-level but not low-level motion perception Neuroreport August 1, 2004
and 5 more in the library