Neuropsychological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) in recreational users.
Carla Back-Madruga, Kyle B Boone, Linda Chang, Charles S Grob, Allison Lee, Heather Nations, Russell E Poland
The Clinical neuropsychologist November 1, 2003 DOI: 10.1076/clin.17.4.446.27939 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractRecreational MDMA (ecstasy) users show no overall cognitive deficits compared to non-users, but heavy users perform worse on tests of nonverbal (visual) memory. In a study comparing 22 recreational MDMA users with 28 matched controls, no significant differences in general cognitive functioning emerged. However, greater lifetime MDMA use correlated with poorer scores on several nonverbal memory measures. Users who had taken MDMA 50 or more times scored significantly lower on two of three nonverbal memory tests than less frequent users. Other cognitive areas appeared unaffected. The findings suggest that only heavy, frequent MDMA use is associated with specific declines in visual memory.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case-control study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 50 |
| Population | Recreational MDMA users and age-, education-, and IQ-matched normal controls |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Cognitive function Thinking skills Cognition Memory impairment Nonverbal memory |
| Citations | 57 |
| Key finding | Heavy MDMA users (50+ lifetime uses) showed significantly lower scores on two of three nonverbal memory tests compared to lighter users, while overall cognitive functioning did not differ from controls. |
Abstract
While neuropsychological studies on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) users have been emerging, results have been inconsistent, possibly due to methodological issues. The current study examined the performance of 22 recreational MDMA users compared to 28 age, education, and IQ comparable normal control subjects on a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. Results revealed no significant differences in cognitive functioning between the MDMA users and normal controls. However, greater use of MDMA was associated with poorer scores on several measures of nonverbal memory, and greater frequency users (> or = 50 times) evidenced significantly lower scores on 2 of 3 nonverbal memory tests compared to lesser frequency users (< 50 times). Our results suggest that a subgroup of MDMA patients, specifically heavy MDMA users, evidence declines in nonverbal (visual) memory, however, other cognitive areas appear to be spared.