Memory impairment in now abstinent MDMA users and continued users: A longitudinal follow-up
Konstantine K. Zakzanis, Zachariah Campbell
Neurology March 13, 2006 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000200957.97779.ea via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractContinued use of MDMA (ecstasy) is associated with further declines in memory ability over a two-year period. Among fifteen participants tested repeatedly, those who continued using MDMA showed worsening memory performance, while those who stopped using MDMA either improved on several memory measures or maintained their previous performance. This suggests that the cognitive impairments linked to MDMA's neurotoxic effects may be partially reversible upon cessation of use.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Participants with a history of MDMA use |
| Duration | 2-year follow-up |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Neuropsychology Neuropsychological test Memory impairment |
| Citations | 54 |
| Key finding | Current MDMA users showed further declines in memory ability over two years, while former users improved or remained static on memory measures. |
Abstract
The authors further investigated the functional consequences of continued neurotoxicity of (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use. Fifteen participants who were previously given a brief neuropsychological battery were tested for a third time 2 years after baseline. At 2 years, seven participants were still using MDMA, whereas eight participants had become abstinent from MDMA since 1-year testing. Current users demonstrated further declines in memory ability; former users improved on several memory measures or remained static in performance.