Executive function in abstinent
MDMA ('ecstasy') users
by
Zakzanis KK, Young DA.
Division of Life Sciences,
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Med Sci Monit 2001 Nov-Dec;7(6):1292-8

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or 'Ecstasy') is a growingly popular recreational drug of abuse that is known to damage brain serotonergic neurons in animals and possibly humans. Few functional consequences of MDMA-induced serotonin neurotoxicity have been identified, either in animals or humans. This study sought to determine whether individuals with a history of MDMA use showed evidence of executive dysfunction.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two groups of young individuals were compared: 24 abstinent MDMA users who had taken MDMA at least once and 24 controls who had never taken MDMA. Each MDMA user completed a questionnaire regarding the characteristics of their MDMA use and all participants completed a questionnaire regarding other recreational drug experience. The Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) was used to measure executive function in all participants.RESULTS: Evidence of impairment was found on two subtests of the BADS and in terms of a Total Profile Score. In addition, several significant product moment correlations were found suggesting that increases in MDMA consumption may relate to more pronounced impairment in executive function.CONCLUSIONS: Accordingly, MDMA use may be associated with deficits in executive function.

Executive function
MDMA v fenfluramine
Baboons like Ecstasy
Cocaine sensitisation
Anti-Parkinsonian effect
Cutaneous vasoconstriction
MDMA and the mitochondria
Ecstasy/MDMA and cannabis
Arginine-vasopressin release
Phosphatidylinositol turnover
MDMA, loud noise and the heart
MDMA, antihistamines and serotonin
MDMA, HIV and antiretroviral agents
Serotonin, noradrenline and dopamine
MDMA plus caffeine causes tachycardia
MDMA/polydrug users in the UK and Italy
MDMA pretreatment: effects on other drugs
MDMA/Ecstasy enrichment of the drinking water supply? Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family