Neuropsychological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) in recreational users.
The Clinical neuropsychologist November 1, 2003 Carla Back-Madruga, Kyle B Boone, Linda Chang et al. 57 citations
Recreational 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.