Toxic effect of MDMA on brain serotonin neurons

McCann, UD; Szabó, Zsolt; Scheffel, Ursula; Dannals, R. F.; Ricaurte, G.A.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(05)66944-9

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…However, given the fairly profound de®cits in memory associated with chronic MDMA use, the involvement of other brain regions such as the hippocampal complex cannot be ruled out at present. It is worth noting that McCann et al (1999) reported signi®cant serotonin transporter depletion in 10 of the 12 brain regions examined. It seems quite possible that a complex interaction exists between ecstasy use, regional brain functioning and neurotransmitter depletion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…It is known that MDMA is neurotoxic and that its chronic administration results in degeneration of serotonergic pathways in non-human primates (Ricaurte et al, 1992). There is increasing direct and indirect evidence that similar structural and functional damage occurs in ecstasy users (Bolla et al, 1998;McCann et al, 1999;Semple et al, 1999). Serotonergic pathways are known to be involved in mnemonic processes (Hunter, 1989;Spoont, 1992), and some researchers have adopted serotonergic neurotoxicity as a possible explanation for retrospective memory impairments in ecstasy users Reneman et al, 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Subjective ratings of prospective memory deficits in MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users

Heffernan

Ling

Scholey

2001

Human Psychopharmacology

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Chronic use of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or 'ecstasy', is associated with significant cognitive impairments, particularly in laboratory and field tests of memory for previously encoded material. Less is known about the effects of a history of MDMA use on aspects of everyday cognitive functioning-of which prospective memory (typically characterised as 'remembering to do something at some future point') is an important aspect. Self-ratings of prospective memory among 30 regular ecstasy users (taking the drug 10 or more times per month) and 31 ecstasy-free controls were compared. Each participant completed the Prospective Memory Questionnaire, which measures self-rated error frequencies relating to three aspects of prospective memory (short-term habitual, long-term episodic and internally cued); the scale also records the use of strategies to aid remembering. Compared with non-users, ecstasy users reported significantly more self-rated errors in prospective memory, an effect which was evident after co-varying levels of other drug use. There were no significant differences in the use of strategies to aid memory. These findings provide new insights into prospective memory dysfunction in recreational drug users. Prospective memory deficits may be related to the reported serotonergic and frontal lobe deficits in chronic MDMA users. It is necessary to use more objective tasks to assess putative prospective memory deficits in ecstasy users. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subjective ratings of prospective memory deficits in MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users

Heffernan

Ling

Scholey

2001

Human Psychopharmacology

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Differential effects of Ecstasy and cannabis on self‐reports of memory ability: a web‐based study

Rodgers

Buchanan

Scholey

et al. 2001

Human Psychopharmacology

116

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Given the legal status of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or Ecstasy, face-to-face access to participants is sometimes difficult. The number of participants in studies of cognitive performance amongst Ecstasy users is variable, with the average being around 30. Access to a larger number of participants is clearly desirable. The present investigation accessed a larger sample size using a web-based design. A website was developed and used for data collection. Prospective memory ability was assessed using the Prospective Memory Questionnaire. Self-report of day-to-day memory performance was investigated using the Everyday Memory Questionnaire. The Drug Questionnaire assessed the use of other substances as well as Ecstasy, allowing a regression design to isolate the contribution of each substance to any variance on the cognitive measures. Preliminary findings (N = 488) indicate that there is a clear double dissociation between the impact of Ecstasy and cannabis. We found that cannabis was associated with reports of 'here-and-now' cognitive problems in short-term and internally cued prospective memory. In contrast, Ecstasy was associated with reports of long-term memory problems, which were more related to storage and retrieval difficulties. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Toxic effect of MDMA on brain serotonin neurons

Cited by 2 publications

References 3 publications

Subjective ratings of prospective memory deficits in MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users

Subjective ratings of prospective memory deficits in MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users

Differential effects of Ecstasy and cannabis on self‐reports of memory ability: a web‐based study

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