Depressive and anxiety symptomatology in ecstasy users: the relative contribution of genes, trauma, life stress and drug use.
BACKGROUND
Previous research has identified elevated rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms amongst ecstasy users; however, few studies have examined which factors increase the likelihood of experiencing such symptoms.


OBJECTIVE
The current study aimed to determine the relationship between ecstasy use and depressive/anxiety symptomatology after controlling for known environmental and genetic (polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene) risk factors for depression and anxiety disorders.


METHODS
Participants consisted of a community sample of 184 18-35-year olds who had taken ecstasy at least once in the past 12 months. Participants completed an interview and questionnaires and provided a saliva sample. Mood symptoms were assessed using the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire. Timeline methods were used to collect information on lifetime and recent ecstasy use, as well as recent other drug use and life stress. Trauma exposure was measured using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview--Trauma List. Genomic DNA was extracted from participant saliva samples.


RESULTS
Neither lifetime nor recent ecstasy use was associated with the severity of current mood symptoms, either alone or in combination with genetic risk factors. Rather, lifetime trauma, recent stressful life events, the frequency of tobacco use and recent polydrug use significantly predicted the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
These results highlight the need to consider the role of environmental factors when examining the relationship between ecstasy use and mood symptoms. Whether ecstasy exacerbates such symptoms in vulnerable individuals requires further investigation using prospective designs.
Scott
Rebecca M
RM
School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.
Hides
Leanne
L
Allen
J Sabura
JS
Burke
Richard
R
Lubman
Dan I
DI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D006213:Hallucinogens; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine