ERP evidence suggests executive dysfunction in ecstasy polydrug users

Self-reports of executive dysfunction in current ecstasy/polydrug Users.

OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND Ecstasy/polydrug users have exhibited deficits in executive functioning in laboratory tests. We sought to extend these findings by investigating the extent to which ecstasy/polydrug users manifest executive deficits in everyday life. METHODS Forty-two current ecstasy/polydrug users, 18 previous (abstinent for at least 6 months) ecstasy/polydrug users, and 50 non-users of...

Evidence for selective executive function deficits in ecstasy/polydrug users.

Previous research has suggested that the separate aspects of executive functioning are differentially affected by ecstasy use. Although the inhibition process appears to be unaffected by ecstasy use, it is unclear whether this is true of heavy users under conditions of high demand. Tasks loading on the updating process have been shown to be adversely affected by ecstasy use. However, it remains...

Meta-analysis of executive functioning in ecstasy/polydrug users.

Ecstasy/3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use is proposed to cause damage to serotonergic (5-HT) axons in humans. Therefore, users should show deficits in cognitive processes that rely on serotonin-rich, prefrontal areas of the brain. However, there is inconsistency in findings to support this hypothesis. The aim of the current study was to examine deficits in executive functioning in ec...

Emotional Intelligence Impaired in Ecstasy - Polydrug Users ?

Everyday memory deficits in ecstasy-polydrug users.

Recent research suggests that not only does the use of recreational drugs impact on working memory functioning, but more ;everyday' aspects of memory (e.g. remembering to do something in the future) are also affected. Forty-three ecstasy-polydrug users and 51 non-ecstasy users were recruited from a university population. Each participant completed the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) and ...