Neuropsychological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) in recreational users.

Summary

Surprisingly, recreational MDMA use may not broadly impair cognitive function. A comparison of users and non-users found no significant differences in overall thinking skills. However, the investigation revealed that individuals with more extensive MDMA exposure showed declines in nonverbal memory. Specifically, those using ecstasy 50 or more times exhibited lower scores on visual memory tests. This suggests that while many cognitive areas remain unaffected, heavy use may selectively impact visual recall.

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.

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