Cerebral activation in abstinent ecstasy (MDMA) users during a working memory task: a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study.

Full Abstract

The popular recreational drug ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine=MDMA and related congeners) is neurotoxic upon central serotonergic systems in animal studies. So far, the most convincing evidence for neurotoxicity-related functional deficits in humans derives from neurocognitive studies demonstrating dose-related long-term learning and memory problems in ecstasy users. In our study we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a working memory task to investigate cerebral activation in eleven heavy, but currently abstinent MDMA users and two equally sized groups of moderate users and non-users. There were no significant group differences in working memory performance and no differences in cortical activation patterns for a conservative level of significance. However, for a more liberal statistical criterion, both user groups showed stronger activations than controls in right parietal cortex. Furthermore, heavy users had a weaker blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) response than moderate users and controls in frontal and temporal areas. Our results may indicate subtle altered brain functioning associated with prior MDMA use, although alternative interpretations of these group differences must be considered.

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Author information

Author/s: Daumann, Jörg (J); Fimm, Bruno (B); Willmes, Klaus (K); Thron, Armin (A); Gouzoulis-Mayfrank, Euphrosyne (E);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty of the University of Technology (RWTH), Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Brain research. Cognitive brain research (Brain Res Cogn Brain Res), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-May; vol 16 (issue 3) : pp 479-87

Dates: Created 2003/04/22; Completed 2003/06/30; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12706227, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Cerebral Cortex - drug effects; physiology
Cognition - drug effects
Education
Female
Functional Laterality - drug effects; physiology
Hallucinogens - adverse effects
Humans

Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Memory, Short-Term - drug effects
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - adverse effects
Parietal Lobe - drug effects; physiology
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Reaction Time - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Hallucinogens (0) ; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (42542-10-9)

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