Illicit Stimulant Use in Humans Is Associated with a Long-Term Increase in Tremor
PLoS ONE December 18, 2012 Stanley C. Flavel, Jenna D. Koch, Jason M. White et al. 30 citations
Abstinent ecstasy users show abnormally large tremor during movement compared to non-drug users, while resting tremor remains unaffected. The study measured tremor with an accelerometer in abstinent ecstasy users (n=9), users of amphetamine-like drugs (n=7), cannabis users (n=12), and non-drug users (n=23). During finger movement, tremor amplitude was significantly greater in ecstasy users (frequency range 3.9-13.3 Hz) but not in cannabis or amphetamine users. Peak tremor frequency did not differ between groups. The finding suggests chronic ecstasy use may produce lasting motor effects, though further research is needed to determine if this increases risk of movement disorders.