The neuropsychology of ecstasy (MDMA) use: a quantitative review
Konstantine K. Zakzanis, Zachariah Campbell, Diana Jovanovski
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental September 25, 2007 DOI: 10.1002/hup.873 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA meta-analysis of studies on MDMA users found small-to-medium cognitive impairments across all tested domains, with learning and memory most affected. Greater lifetime MDMA consumption was linked to worse performance on attention, concentration, learning, and memory tasks.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | MDMA users |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Neuropsychology Psychiatry |
| Citations | 87 |
| Key finding | MDMA use is associated with small-to-medium neuropsychological impairments across cognitive domains, especially learning and memory, and total lifetime ingestion negatively correlates with performance on attention and memory tasks. |
Abstract
Abstract A growing number of empirical studies have found varying neuropsychological impairments associated with use of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use. We set out to determine to what extent neuropsychological abilities are impaired in MDMA users. To do so, meta‐analytical methods were used to determine the magnitude of neuropsychological impairment in MDMA users across pre‐specified cognitive domains. We found that cognitive impairment secondary to recreational drug use may result in what might be described as small‐to‐medium effects across all cognitive domains with learning and memory being most impaired. We also found that total lifetime ingestion of MDMA appears to be negatively associated with performance on tasks ranging from attention and concentration to learning and memory. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.