title: Intensity dependence of auditory evoked dipole source activity in polydrug ecstasy users: evidence from an 18 months longitudinal study.
abstract: Numerous animal studies have been able to demonstrate neurotoxic damage to central serotonergic systems after exposure to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy). It has been suggested that a high loudness dependence of auditory evoked potentials (LDAEP) and, particularly, of the tangential N1/P2 source activity is associated with a low functioning of serotonergic activity. Therefore, the LDAEP may be used as a non-invasive indicator for a possible neurotoxic damage caused by the long-term use of ecstasy in recreational users. We recorded auditory evoked potentials (AEP) with a passive listening paradigm in 18 polydrug ecstasy users at baseline (t1) and after 18 months (t2). Several aspects of ecstasy use, such as frequency of use, cumulative lifetime dose or period of abstinence were associated with the LDAEP for several tangential dipoles at both measuring times. However, we failed to demonstrate any significant relationship between drug use reported at follow-up and AEP changes from baseline to follow-up. Despite some incertitude these data suggest, yet do not unambiguously con.rm, the hypothesis that abstinent ecstasy users present with diminished central serotonergic activity. This feature of information processing is potentially related to the neurotoxic potential of ecstasy. However, alternative interpretations of these data refer to possible preexisting traits and the potential impact of other illicit drugs, particularly amphetamine, since ecstasy users typically exhibit polydrug use patterns. Thus, further research with larger sample sizes and prospective study designs are needed to definitively establish a causative link between ecstasy use and neurotoxicity-related dysfunctions in sensory processing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daumann
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Till
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fischermann
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rezk
authors.forename: Euphrosyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gouzoulis-Mayfrank
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004007:Dichotic Listening Tests; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000633:toxicity*; D008144:Loudness Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000503:physiopathology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D013018:Sound Spectrography
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine