Reward-related decision-making deficits and elevated impulsivity among MDMA and other drug users.
Karen L. Hanson, Mónica Luciana, Kristin Sullwold
Drug and Alcohol Dependence July 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.02.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 81 |
| Population | 22 abstinent MDMA users, 30 other drug users, and 29 healthy non-drug controls |
| Measures | Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire-Brief Form (constraint subscale), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | MDMA users and other drug users showed comparable decision-making and impulsivity, and both groups performed worse on the Iowa Gambling Task and reported greater impulsivity than non-drug controls. Poorer decision-making and higher impulsivity were associated with heavier drug and alcohol use, more lifetime substance use disorders, and higher depression. The authors argue these findings contradict the idea that MDMA is specifically linked to deficient decision-making. |
Abstract
The recreational drug, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'Ecstasy'), is a synthetic amphetamine derivative and a serotonin neurotoxin. MDMA use is associated with cognitive dysfunction and impulsivity, but since polydrug abuse is common among users it is difficult to attribute these problems specifically to MDMA. Moreover, few studies have examined reward-related cognitive processes. Our aim was to examine reward-related decision-making and impulsivity among MDMA users while controlling for polydrug use via appropriate comparison groups. We examined decision-making [Iowa Gambling Task, IGT; Bechara, A., Damasio, A.R., Damasio, H., Anderson, S.W., 1994. Insensitivity to future consequences following damage to human prefrontal cortex. Cognition 50, 7-15], self-reported impulsivity (Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire-Brief Form [constraint subscale]; Barratt Impulsiveness Scale; Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale), and drug use among 22 abstinent MDMA users, 30 other drug users, and 29 healthy non-drug controls. MDMA and other drug users showed comparable patterns of decision-making and impulsivity. However, both drug groups demonstrated poorer IGT performance and elevated self-reported impulsivity relative to controls. Poorer decision-making was related to heavier drug use in the past year, heavier weekly alcohol use, and meeting lifetime substance use disorder (SUD) criteria for more drug classes. Elevated impulsivity was associated with heavier drug use, heavier weekly alcohol use, more lifetime SUDs, and higher self-reported depression levels. These findings contradict the idea that MDMA is specifically associated with deficient decision-making. Drug users, in general, may be at risk for decision-making deficits and elevated impulsivity. Such behaviors may represent trait factors that lead to the initiation of drug and alcohol use, and/or they may represent behavior patterns that are exacerbated by extensive use.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational MDMA use in Sydney: a profile of ‘Ecstasy’ users and their experiences with the drug Recreational Ecstasy users recruited via snowball peer network | 1992 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 100 |
| Reducedin vivobinding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users Male regular ecstasy users and well-matched controls | 1999 | Cross-sectional association study | n = 20 |
| Patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use in drug using university students Drug-using university students | 2006 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 149 |
| Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland Drug users at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, aged 16-47, 80% between 18 and... | 2001 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 122 |
| Acute, sub‐acute and long‐term subjective consequences of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) consumption in 430 regular users Regular MDMA users | 2003 | Cross-sectional study | n = 466 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- Dose-related effects of MDMA on psychomotor function and mood before, during, and after a night of sleep loss Psychopharmacology January 18, 2010
- Contribution of impulsivity and novelty-seeking to the acquisition and maintenance of MDMA self-administration Addiction Biology July 11, 2012
- 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
- Effects of repeated treatment with MDMA on working memory and behavioural flexibility in mice Addiction Biology January 19, 2012
- Glucose and corticosterone changes in developing and adult rats following exposure to (+/-)-3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine or 5-methoxydiisopropyltryptamine. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 2010
and 9 more in the library
Cites 32
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- Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Neurology December 1, 1998
- Gender differences in the subjective effects of MDMA Psychopharmacology March 5, 2001
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