Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA (“Ecstasy”) users: A longitudinal investigation
Konstantine K. Zakzanis, Donald A. Young
Neurology April 10, 2001 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.56.7.966 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractOver one year, fifteen people who continued using MDMA showed a progressive decline in immediate and delayed recall on memory tests, even after being abstinent for two weeks at both the initial and follow-up assessments. The findings suggest that ongoing MDMA use is linked to worsening memory function.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Longitudinal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | MDMA users |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Neuropsychology Recall Retrospective memory |
| Citations | 122 |
| Key finding | Continued use of MDMA was associated with progressive decline in immediate and delayed recall. |
Abstract
To examine the neurotoxic potential of continued MDMA ("Ecstasy") use in humans and its functional consequences over the course of 1 year, 15 MDMA users participated in a longitudinal study in which they completed a brief neuropsychological test battery composed mainly of retrospective and prospective memory tasks. Subjects were abstinent for 2 weeks on initial and 1-year testing. Continued use of MDMA was associated with progressive decline in terms of immediate and delayed recall.