Decision making as a predictor of first ecstasy use: a prospective study.
Thelma Schilt, Anneke E. Goudriaan, Maarten W Koeter, Wim van den Brink, Ben Schmand
Psychopharmacology April 2009 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1398-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 149 |
| Population | Ecstasy-naive subjects |
| Duration | Mean follow-up period of 18 months (range, 11-26) |
| Measures | Iowa Gambling Task |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Decision-making strategy on the Iowa Gambling Task predicted future ecstasy use in female subjects, and future ecstasy users showed a smaller difference in reaction time between advantageous and disadvantageous choices than persistent ecstasy-naive subjects. The authors suggest this may indicate lower punishment sensitivity or higher impulsivity, but note the differences were small and clinical relevance is questionable. |
Abstract
Ecstasy (+/-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a widely used recreational drug that may damage the serotonin system and may entail neuropsychological dysfunctions. Few studies investigated predictors for ecstasy use. Self-reported impulsivity does not predict the initiation of ecstasy use; the question is if neuropsychological indicators of impulsivity can predict first ecstasy use. This study tested the hypothesis that a neuropsychological indicator of impulsivity predicts initiation of ecstasy use. Decision-making strategy and decision-making reaction times were examined with the Iowa Gambling Task in 149 ecstasy-naive subjects. The performance of 59 subjects who initiated ecstasy use during a mean follow-up period of 18 months (range, 11-26) was compared with the performance of 90 subjects that remained ecstasy-naive. Significant differences in decision-making strategy between female future ecstasy users and female persistent ecstasy-naive subjects were found. In addition, the gap between decision-making reaction time after advantageous choices and reaction time after disadvantageous choices was smaller in future ecstasy users than in persistent ecstasy-naives. Decision-making strategy on a gambling task was predictive for future use of ecstasy in female subjects. Differences in decision-making time between future ecstasy users and persistent ecstasy-naives may point to lower punishment sensitivity or higher impulsivity in future ecstasy users. Because differences were small, the clinical relevance is questionable.
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 9
- (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals Neuropsychobiology 2000
- Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence for persistent brain damage? Addiction February 27, 2006
- Neuroimaging findings with MDMA/ecstasy: technical aspects, conceptual issues and future prospects Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006
- Symptoms of anxiety and depression in childhood and use of MDMA: prospective, population based study BMJ February 24, 2006
- MDMA affects both error-rate dependent and independent aspects of decision-making in a two-choice prediction task Journal of Psychopharmacology June 27, 2005
and 4 more in the library