Evidence for executive deficits among users of MDMA (Ecstasy)

Bibliographic Data

ID9620257
AuthorsJohn E Fisk (0000-0002-2981-0870, Liverpool John Moores University, corresponding author), Catharine Montgomery (0000-0003-2805-5807, Liverpool John Moores University), Philip Murphy (0009-0004-0192-8078), Philip N Murphy (0000-0001-7478-2170, Edge Hill University), Michelle Wareing (Edge Hill University)
Year2004
Volume95
Issue4
Pages457-466
Publication date2004-11-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-1269 • E-ISSN: 2044-8295
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1348/0007126042369785
PMID15527532
OpenAlexW2049360930
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited3

Random letter generation and computation span are tasks known to load on executive, prefrontal resources. Previous research suggests that Ecstasy users are impaired on random letter generation. The current study, employing a larger sample (44 current Ecstasy users, and 59 non‐Ecstasy users), together with more effective statistical controls for other drug use, failed to replicate previous findings. Ecstasy users were unimpaired on all measures of random generation performance. A significant difference was obtained on the computation span measure, with Ecstasy users scoring significantly lower than non‐Ecstasy users. This difference remained statistically significant following control for various indicators of the use of other drugs including cannabis. The results are discussed in terms of the potential effects that Ecstasy might have on different component executive processes

Cannabis · Cognition · Developmental psychology · Ecstasy · MDMA · Psychiatry · Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis · Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior · Psychedelics and Drug Studies · Psychology

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