Neuropsychiatric alterations in MDMA users: preliminary findings.
The use of marijuana is rampant among 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) users. The co-occurrence of abuse of these two drugs has made it difficult to assess the specific residual effects of MDMA alone. As a first step toward identifying the effects of long-term MDMA use, we studied 8 MDMA abusers, 8 marijuana/MDMA abusers, 15 marijuana abusers (matched in marijuana use without MDMA use), and 17 control subjects. EEG, cerebral blood velocity by pulsed transcranial Doppler (TCD), and psychological measures were collected. Three-minute resting eyes-closed EEG recordings were obtained from 16 electrodes. The EEG was converted to 6 frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2) using a fast Fourier transformation. Blood flow velocity was determined using a temporal window for the right and left middle cerebral arteries using TCD. Absolute log delta power in the EEG of MDMA abusers at central electrode sites was significantly higher than that of the MDMA/marijuana, marijuana abusers, and control subjects. There were also increases in alpha-2 EEG power observed only in marijuana abusers. The blood flow measure, diastolic velocity, was increased in MDMA abusers whether they used marijuana or not. Because increases in delta power and perfusion deficits are associated with some chronic disorders, our findings in these ecstasy abusers suggest that MDMA use may be associated with a drug-induced neuropathological state. More research is necessary to test these ideas.
Herning
Ronald I
RI
Molecular Neuropsychiatry Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224. rherning@intra.nida.nih.gov
Better
Warren
W
Tate
Kimberly
K
Cadet
Jean L
JL
D000328:Adult; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011581:Psychological Tests; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
D006213:Hallucinogens; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine