Apparent transient effects of recent "ecstasy" use on cognitive performance and extrapyramidal signs in human subjects.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose is to investigate cognitive performance and extrapyramidal function early after ecstasy use.


BACKGROUND
Ecstasy, containing 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, has shown evidence of causing cognitive deficits and parkinsonian signs. Previous research has examined cognitive performance after a period of prolonged abstinence, but research assessing the early effects of ecstasy after recent use is limited despite temporal neurochemical differences demonstrated in nonhuman models.


METHODS
This study compared task performance between 13 ecstasy users (10 to 15 h postdrug use) and a control group on a battery of neuropsychologic assessments while matching for education level, sleep deprivation, and premorbid IQ. The groups were also compared on measures relating to parkinsonian signs.


RESULTS
The ecstasy subjects showed impairments on measures of executive function as evaluated by Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST). Short-delay free recall memory was also impaired in ecstasy subjects on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-II). No extrapyramidal motor impairments were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
These deficits resemble deficits previously reported in chronic ecstasy use but also seem to reveal transient impairments in executive function. Future research is needed to better understand the neurologic and neuropsychologic implications of ecstasy use across time and extent of use.
Smith
Ryan M
RM
Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, 1654 Upham Drive, Rm. 461, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Tivarus
Madalina
M
Campbell
Heather L
HL
Hillier
Ashleigh
A
Beversdorf
David Q
DQ
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D001767:Blinking / Q000187:drug effects; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005116:Extrapyramidal Tracts / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000187:drug effects
D006213:Hallucinogens; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine