Mood, cognition and serotonin transporter availability in current and former ecstasy (MDMA) users: the longitudinal perspective
Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2006 Rainer Thomasius, P. Zapletalova, Kay Uwe Petersen et al. 158 citations
Heavy ecstasy (MDMA) use is associated with lasting verbal memory deficits and elevated psychological symptoms even after more than 2.5 years of abstinence, while reduced serotonin transporter availability in the brain may partially recover when use stops. In a longitudinal study comparing current ecstasy users, ex-users, polydrug controls, and drug-naive controls over two years, ex-users showed the worst verbal memory and highest symptom scores, with no improvement over time. Current users' memory and symptoms did not worsen during continued use. Serotonin transporter availability in the midbrain recovered as current users reduced MDMA use, but this recovery may not reflect neuronal integrity. Pre-existing differences cannot be ruled out as an alternative explanation.