BACKGROUND: Working memory processing in ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) users is associated with neural alterations as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Here, we examined whether cortical activation patterns change after prolonged periods of continued use or abstinence from ecstasy and amphetamine. METHODS: We used an n-back task and functional magnetic resonance imaging in 17 ecstasy users at baseline (t(1)) and after 18 months (t(2)). Based on the reported drug use at t(2) we separated subjects with continued ecstasy and amphetamine use from subjects reporting abstinence during the follow-up period (n = 9 and n = 8, respectively). RESULTS: At baseline both groups had similar task performance and similar cortical activation patterns. Task performance remained unchanged in both groups. Furthermore, there were no detectable functional magnetic resonance imaging signal changes from t(1) to t(2) in the follow-up abstinent group. However, the continuing users showed a dose-dependent increased parietal activation for the 2-back task after the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that ecstasy use, particularly in high doses, is associated with greater parietal activation during working memory performance. An altered activation pattern might appear before changes in cognitive performance become apparent and, hence, may reflect an early stage of neuronal injury from the neurotoxic drug ecstasy.
BACKGROUND: Working memory processing in ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) users is associated with neural alterations as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Here, we examined whether cortical activation patterns change after prolonged periods of continued use or abstinence from ecstasy and amphetamine. METHODS: We used an n-back task and functional magnetic resonance imaging in 17 ecstasy users at baseline (t(1)) and after 18 months (t(2)). Based on the reported drug use at t(2) we separated subjects with continued ecstasy and amphetamine use from subjects reporting abstinence during the follow-up period (n = 9 and n = 8, respectively). RESULTS: At baseline both groups had similar task performance and similar cortical activation patterns. Task performance remained unchanged in both groups. Furthermore, there were no detectable functional magnetic resonance imaging signal changes from t(1) to t(2) in the follow-up abstinent group. However, the continuing users showed a dose-dependent increased parietal activation for the 2-back task after the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that ecstasy use, particularly in high doses, is associated with greater parietal activation during working memory performance. An altered activation pattern might appear before changes in cognitive performance become apparent and, hence, may reflect an early stage of neuronal injury from the neurotoxic drug ecstasy.
Authors: Maartje M L De Win; Gerry Jager; Hylke K E Vervaeke; Thelma Schilt; Liesbeth Reneman; Jan Booij; Frank C Verhulst; Gerard J Den Heeten; Nick F Ramsey; Dirk J Korf; Wim Van den Brink Journal: Int J Methods Psychiatr Res Date: 2005 Impact factor: 4.035
Authors: Robin L Carhart-Harris; David J Nutt; Marcus R Munafo; David M Christmas; Sue J Wilson Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2009-07-08 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Gerry Jager; Maartje M de Win; Hylke K Vervaeke; Thelma Schilt; Rene S Kahn; Wim van den Brink; Jan M van Ree; Nick F Ramsey Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2007-05-03 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: João Paulo Capela; Helena Carmo; Fernando Remião; Maria Lourdes Bastos; Andreas Meisel; Félix Carvalho Journal: Mol Neurobiol Date: 2009-04-17 Impact factor: 5.590