Preliminary evidence of motor impairment among polysubstance 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine users with intact neuropsychological functioning.
Chad A Bousman, Mariana Cherner, Kristen T Emory, Daniel S. Barron, Patricia Grebenstein, J Hampton Atkinson, Robert K Heaton, Igor Grant
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society August 25, 2010 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617710000846 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case-control study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 42 |
| Population | 21 MDMA users and 21 matched control participants |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Humans Movement disorders Amphetamine-related disorders Substance withdrawal syndrome N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Case-control studies Neuropsychological tests Female Young adult |
| Key findings | No significant group differences appeared across most neuropsychological domains, but MDMA users showed more motor speed/dexterity impairment (43% vs 5% of controls). This difference was not explained by other substance use and was unrelated to abstinence length or lifetime MDMA doses. The authors call the overall evidence for neuropsychological differences limited and say the motor finding needs replication in a larger sample. |
Abstract
Neuropsychological disturbances have been reported in association with use of the recreational drug "ecstasy," or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), but findings have been inconsistent. We performed comprehensive neuropsychological testing examining seven ability domains in 21 MDMA users (MDMA+) and 21 matched control participants (MDMA-). Among MDMA+ participants, median [interquartile range] lifetime MDMA use was 186 [111, 516] doses, with 120 [35-365] days of abstinence. There were no significant group differences in neuropsychological performance, with the exception of the motor speed/dexterity domain in which 43% of MDMA+ were impaired compared with 5% of MDMA- participants (p = .004). Motor impairment differences were not explained by use of other substances and were unrelated to length of abstinence or lifetime number of MDMA doses. Findings provide limited evidence for neuropsychological differences between MDMA+ and MDMA- participants with the exception of motor impairments observed in the MDMA+ group. However, replication of this finding in a larger sample is warranted.
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
Cites 7
- Neurocognitive function in users of MDMA: the importance of clinically significant patterns of use Psychological Medicine January 28, 2004
- Neurocognitive impairments in MDMA and other drug users: MDMA alone may not be a cognitive risk factor Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology September 30, 2009
- Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Ecstasy-Induced Neurotoxicity: An Overview Molecular Neurobiology June 1, 2009
- The harmful health effects of recreational ecstasy: a systematic review of observational evidence. Health technology assessment January 2009
- Positron emission tomographic studies of brain dopamine and serotonin transporters in abstinent (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy") users: relationship to cognitive performance. Psychopharmacology October 2008
and 2 more in the library