title: Inhibition of MDMA-induced increase in cortisol does not prevent acute impairment of verbal memory.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ecstasy use is commonly linked with memory deficits in abstinent ecstasy users. Similar impairments are being found during ecstasy intoxication after single doses of ± 3,4 metylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The concordance of memory impairments during intoxication and abstinence suggests a similar neuropharmacological mechanism underlying acute and chronic memory impairments. The mechanism underlying this impairment is to date not known. We hypothesized that cortisol might play an important role in this mechanism as cortisol, implicated in the regulation of memory performance, can be brought out of balance by stressors like MDMA.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we aimed to block the MDMA-induced acute memory defect by giving participants a cortisol synthesis inhibitor (metyrapone) together with a single dose of MDMA. Seventeen polydrug MDMA users entered this placebo-controlled within subject study with four treatment conditions. The treatments consisted of MDMA (75 mg) and metyrapone (750 mg), alone and in combination, and double placebo. Pre-treatment with metyrapone or Placebo occurred 1 h prior to MDMA or Placebo administration. Memory performance was tested at peak drug concentrations by means of several memory tests. Cortisol levels were determined in blood and oral fluid; this served as a control measure to see whether manipulations were effective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Main findings indicated that whereas treatment with metyrapone blocked the expected MDMA-induced increase in cortisol levels in blood, it did not prevent the MDMA-induced memory deficit from happening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We therefore conclude that MDMA-induced increments in cortisol concentrations are not related to MDMA-induced memory impairments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. k.kuypers@maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors.forename: K P C
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kuypers
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de la Torre
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farre
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pujadas
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ramaekers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D011725:Pyridines; C013109:metapyrone; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone