The confounding problem of polydrug use in recreational ecstasy/MDMA users: A brief overview

Journal of Psychopharmacology

Volumn 20, Issue 2, 2006, Pages 188-193

  Gouzoulis Mayfrank, Euphrosyne ^a   Daumann, Jörg ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE   (Germany)

Author keywords

Amphetamines; Cannabis; Ecstasy; MDMA; Memory; Neuroprotection; Neurotoxicity; Serotonin; Stimulants

Indexed keywords

3,4 METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE; CANNABINOID; NEUROPROTECTIVE AGENT; PSYCHEDELIC AGENT; SEROTONIN RECEPTOR AFFECTING AGENT;

BRAIN; CANNABIS ADDICTION; CELL SURVIVAL; CHEMICALLY INDUCED DISORDER; COGNITIVE DEFECT; DRUG ABUSE; DRUG EFFECT; HUMAN; MEMORY DISORDER; NERVE CELL; NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST; PATHOPHYSIOLOGY; PHYSIOLOGY; PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT; REVIEW;

AMPHETAMINE-RELATED DISORDERS; BRAIN; CANNABINOIDS; CELL SURVIVAL; COGNITION DISORDERS; HALLUCINOGENS; HUMANS; MARIJUANA ABUSE; MEMORY DISORDERS; N-METHYL-3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYAMPHETAMINE; NEURONS; NEUROPROTECTIVE AGENTS; NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS; SEROTONIN AGENTS;

EID: 33746819929     PISSN: 02698811     EISSN: 14617285     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1177/0269881106059939     Document Type: Review

References (70)

1. Bolla K I, McCann U D, Ricaurte G A (1998) Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ('Ecstasy') users. Neurology 51: 1532-1537
2. Chan G C, Hinds T R, Impey S, Storm D R (1998) Hippocampal neurotoxicity of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol. J Neurosci 18: 5322-5332
3. Croft R J, Mackay A J, Mills A T, Gruzelier J G (2001) The relative contributions of ecstasy and cannabis to cognitive impairment. Psychopharmacology 153: 373-379
4. Dafters R I, Hoshi R, Talbot A C (2004) Contribution of cannabis and MDMA ('ecstasy') to cognitive changes in long-term polydrug users. Psychopharmacology 173: 405-410
5. Daumann J, Pelz S, Becker S, Tuchtenhagen F, Gouzoulis-Mayfrank E (2001) Psychological profile of abstinent recreational ecstasy (MDMA) users and significance of concomitant cannabis use. Human Psychopharmacology 16: 627-633
6. Daumann J, Hensen G, Thimm B, Rezk M, Till B, Gouzoulis-Mayfrank E (2004) Self-reported psychopathological symptoms in recreational ecstasy (MDMA) users are mainly associated with regular cannabis use: further evidence from a combined cross-sectional/longitudinal investigation. Psychopharmacology 173: 398-404
7. Daumann J, Schnitker R, Weidemann J, Schnell K, Thron A, Gouzoulis-Mayfrank E (2003) Neural correlates of working memory in pure and polyvalent ecstasy (MDMA) users. Neuroreport 14: 1983-1987
8. Degenhardt L, Hall W, Lynskey M (2003) Exploring the association between cannabis use and depression. Addiction 98: 1493-1504
9. Ernst T, Chang L, Leonido-Yee M, Speck O (2000) Evidence for longterm neurotoxicity associated with methamphetamine abuse: A 1H MRS study. Neurology 54: 1344-1349
10. Fox H C, Parrott A C, Turner J J (2001) Ecstasy use: cognitive deficits related to dosage rather than self-reported problematic use of the drug. J Psychopharmacol 15: 273-281
11. Gamma A, Frei E, Lehmann D, Pascual-Marqui R D, Hell D, Vollenweider F X (2000) Mood state and brain electric activity in ecstasy users. Neuroreport 11: 157-162
12. Gonzalez R, Rippeth J D, Carey C L, Heaton R K, Moore D J, Schweinsburg B C, Cherner M, Grant I (2004) Neurocognitive performance of methamphetamine users discordant for history of marijuana exposure. Drug Alcohol Depend 76: 181-190
13. Gouzoulis-Mayfrank E, Daumann J (in press) Neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamines (MDMA; Ecstasy) in humans: how strong is the evidence? Addiction Gouzoulis-Mayfrank E, Thimm B, Rezk M, Hensen G, Daumann J (2003) Memory impairment suggests hippocampal dysfunction in abstinent ecstasy users. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 27: 819-827
14. Gouzoulis-Mayfrank E, Daumann J, Tuchtenhagen F, Pelz S, Becker S, Kunert H J, Fimm B, Sass H (2000) Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 68: 719-725
15. Green A R, Mechan A O, Elliott J M, O'Shea E, Colado M I (2003) The pharmacology and clinical pharmacology of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy'). Pharmacol Rev 55: 463-508
16. Grundy R I, Rabuffetti M, Beltramo M (2001) Cannabinoids and neuroprotection. Mol Neurobiol 24: 29-51
17. Hall W, Degenhardt L, Teesson M (2004) Cannabis use and psychotic disorders: an update. Drug Alcohol Rev 23: 433-443
18. Hamelink C, Hampson A, Wink D A, Eiden L E, Eskay R L (2005) Comparison of cannabidiol, antioxidants, and diuretics in reversing binge ethanol-induced neurotoxicity. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 314: 780-788
19. Hampson A J, Grimaldi M (2001) Cannabinoid receptor activation and elevated cyclic AMP reduce glutamate neurotoxicity. Eur J Neurosci 13: 1529-1536
20. Hampson A J, Grimaldi M, Axelrod J, Wink D (1998) Cannabidiol and (-)Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 95: 8268-8273
21. Hanson G R, Rau K S, Fleckenstein A E (2004) The methamphetamine experience: a NIDA partnership. Neuropharmacology 47 (Suppl. 1): 92-100
22. Hatzidimitriou G, McCann U D, Ricaurte G A (1999) Altered serotonin innervation patterns in the forebrain of monkeys treated with (-/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine seven years previously: factors influencing abnormal recovery. J Neurosci 19: 5096-5107
23. Jacobsen L K, Mencl W E, Westerveld M, Pugh K R (2004) Impact of cannabis use on brain function in adolescents. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1021: 384-390
24. Kanayama G, Rogowska J, Pope H G, Gruber S A, Yurgelun-Todd D A (2004) Spatial working memory in heavy cannabis users: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Psychopharmacology 176: 239-247
25. Lawton-Craddock A, Nixon S J, Tivis R (2003) Cognitive efficiency in stimulant abusers with and without alcohol dependence. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 27: 457-464
26. Macleod J, Oakes R, Copello A, Crome I, Egger M, Hickman M, Oppenkowski T, Stokes-Lampard H, Davey S G (2004) Psychological and social sequelae of cannabis and other illicit drug use by young people: a systematic review of longitudinal, general population studies. Lancet 363: 1579-1588
27. McCann U D, Ricaurte G A (2004) Amphetamine neurotoxicity: accomplishments and remaining challenges. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 27: 821-826
28. McCann U D, Eligulashvili V, Ricaurte G A (2000) (-/-)3,4- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy')-induced serotonin neurotoxicity: clinical studies. Neuropsychobiology 42: 11-16
29. McCann U D, Mertl M, Eligulashvili V, Ricaurte G A (1999) Cognitive performance in (-/-) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') users: a controlled study. Psychopharmacology 143: 417-425
30. McCann U D, Szabo Z, Scheffel U, Dannals R F, Ricaurte G A (1998a) Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA ('Ecstasy') on brain serotonin neurons in human beings. Lancet 352: 1433-1437
31. 11C]WIN-35,428. J Neurosci 18: 8417-8422
32. Mechoulam R, Panikashvili D, Shohami E (2002) Cannabinoids and brain injury: therapeutic implications. Trends Mol Med 8: 58-61
33. Milani R M, Parrott A C, Turner J J D (2002) Cannabis use in ecstasy users. Addiktologie 1: 67-68
34. Montgomery C, Fisk J E, Newcombe R (2005) The nature of ecstasygroup related deficits in associative learning. Psychopharmacology 180: 141-149
35. Morgan M J (1998) Recreational use of 'ecstasy' (MDMA) is associated with elevated impulsivity. Neuropsychopharmacology 19: 252-264
36. Morgan M J (1999) Memory deficits associated with recreational use of 'ecstasy' (MDMA). Psychopharmacology 141: 30-36
37. Morgan M J, McFie L, Fleetwood H, Robinson J A (2002) Ecstasy (MDMA): are the psychological problems associated with its use reversed by prolonged abstinence? Psychopharmacology 159: 294-303
38. Morley K C, Li K M, Hunt G E, Mallet P E, McGregor I S (2004) Cannabinoids prevent the acute hyperthermia and partially protect against the 5-HT depleting effects of MDMA ('Ecstasy') in rats. Neuropharmacology 46: 954-965
39. Ornstein T J, Iddon J L, Baldacchino A M, Sahakian B J, London M, Everitt B J, Robbins T W (2000) Profiles of cognitive dysfunction in chronic amphetamine and heroin abusers. Neuropsychopharmacology 23: 113-126
40. Parrott A C, Milani R M, Turner J J (2002) Ecstasy and the SCL-90 findings: a reply to Cole et al. Psychopharmacology 162: 218-222
41. Parrott A C, Sisk E, Turner J J (2000) Psychobiological problems in heavy 'ecstasy' (MDMA) polydrug users. Drug Alcohol Depend 60: 105-110
42. Parrott A C, Milani R M, Parmar R, Turner J D (2001) Recreational ecstasy/MDMA and other drug users from the UK and Italy: psychiatric symptoms and psychobiological problems. Psychopharmacology 159: 77-82
43. Patton G C, Coffey C, Carlin J B, Degenhardt L, Lynskey M, Hall W (2002) Cannabis use and mental health in young people: cohort study. BMJ 325: 1195-1198
44. Pope H G Jr, Gruber A J, Hudson J I, Huestis M A, Yurgelun-Todd D (2001) Neuropsychological performance in long-term cannabis users. Arch Gen Psychiatry 58: 909-915
45. Reneman L, Booij J, Schmand B, van Den B W, Gunning B (2000) Memory disturbances in 'Ecstasy' users are correlated with an altered brain serotonin neurotransmission. Psychopharmacology 148: 322-324
46. Reneman L, Lavalaye J, Schmand B, de Wolff F A, van Den B W, den Heeten G J, Booij J (2001) Cortical serotonin transporter density and verbal memory in individuals who stopped using 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or 'ecstasy'): preliminary findings. Arch Gen Psychiatry 58: 901-906
47. Reneman L, Booij J, Lavalaye J, de Bruin K, Reitsma J B, Gunning B, den Heeten G J, van Den B W (2002) Use of amphetamine by recreational users of ecstasy (MDMA) is associated with reduced striatal dopamine transporter densities: a [123I]beta-CIT SPECT study-preliminary report. Psychopharmacology 159: 335-340
48. Ricaurte G A, Yuan J, McCann U D (2000) (-/-)3,4- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy')-induced serotonin neurotoxicity: studies in animals. Neuropsychobiology 42: 5-10
49. Riehman K S, Iguchi M Y, Anglin M D (2002) Depressive symptoms among amphetamine and cocaine users before and after substance abuse treatment. Psychol Addict Behav 16: 333-337
50. Rodgers J (2000) Cognitive performance amongst recreational users of 'ecstasy'. Psychopharmacology 151: 19-24
51. Rodgers J, Buchanan T, Scholey A B, Heffernan T M, Ling J, Parrott A (2001) Differential effects of Ecstasy and cannabis on self-reports of memory ability: a web-based study. Hum Psychopharmacol 16: 619-625
52. Roiser J P, Sahakian B J (2004) Relationship between ecstasy use and depression: a study controlling for poly-drug use. Psychopharmacology 173: 411-417
53. Salo R, Nordahl T E, Possin K, Leamon M, Gibson D R, Galloway G P, Flynn N M, Henik A, Pfefferbaum A, Sullivan E V (2002) Preliminary evidence of reduced cognitive inhibition in methamphetamine-dependent individuals. Psychiatry Res 111: 65-74
54. Scholey A B, Parrott A C, Buchanan T, Heffernan T M, Ling J, Rodgers J (2004) Increased intensity of Ecstasy and polydrug usage in the more experienced recreational Ecstasy/MDMA users: a WWW study. Addict Behav 29: 743-752
55. Schuster P, Lieb R, Lamertz C, Wittchen H U (1998) Is the use of ecstasy and hallucinogens increasing? Results from a community study. Eur Addict Res 4: 75-82
56. Seiden L S, Sabol K E (1996) Methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine neurotoxicity: possible mechanisms of cell destruction. NIDA Res Monogr 163: 251-276
57. Simon N G, Mattick R P (2002) The impact of regular ecstasy use on memory function. Addiction 97: 1523-1529
58. Simon S L, Domier C, Carnell J, Brethen P, Rawson R, Ling W (2000) Cognitive impairment in individuals currently using methamphetamine. Am J Addict 9: 222-231
59. Simon S L, Domier C P, Sim T, Richardson K, Rawson R A, Ling W (2002) Cognitive performance of current methamphetamine and cocaine abusers. J Addict Dis 21: 61-74
60. Solowij N, Stephens R S, Roffman R A, Babor T, Kadden R, Miller M, Christiansen K, McRee B, Vendetti J (2002) Cognitive functioning of long-term heavy cannabis users seeking treatment. JAMA 287: 1123-1131
61. Thomasius R, Petersen K, Buchert R, Andresen B, Zapletalova P, Wartberg L, Nebeling B, Schmoldt A (2003) Mood, cognition and serotonin transporter availability in current and former ecstasy (MDMA) users. Psychopharmacology 167: 85-96
62. van der Stelt M, Di Marzo V (2005) Cannabinoid receptors and their role in neuroprotection. Neuromolecular Med 7: 37-50
63. van der Stelt M, Veldhuis W B, Maccarrone M, Bar P R, Nicolay K, Veldink G A, Di Marzo V, Vliegenthart J F (2002) Acute neuronal injury, excitotoxicity, and the endocannabinoid system. Mol Neurobiol 26: 317-346
64. Volkow N D, Chang L, Wang G J, Fowler J S, Franceschi D, Sedler M J, Gatley S J, Hitzemann R, Ding Y S, Wong C, Logan J (2001a) Higher cortical and lower subcortical metabolism in detoxified methamphetamine abusers. Am J Psychiatry 158: 383-389
65. Volkow N D, Chang L, Wang G J, Fowler J S, Leonido-Yee M, Franceschi D, Sedler M J, Gatley S J, Hitzemann R, Ding Y S, Logan J, Wong C, Miller E N (2001b) Association of dopamine transporter reduction with psychomotor impairment in methamphetamine abusers. Am J Psychiatry 158: 377-382
66. Voytek B, Berman S M, Hassid B D, Simon S L, Mandelkern M A, Brody A L, Monterosso J, Ling W, London E D (2005) Differences in regional brain metabolism associated with marijuana abuse in methamphetamine abusers. Synapse 57: 113-115
67. Wang G J, Volkow N D, Chang L, Miller E, Sedler M, Hitzemann R, Zhu W, Logan J, Ma Y, Fowler J S (2004) Partial recovery of brain metabolism in methamphetamine abusers after protracted abstinence. Am J Psychiatry 161: 242-248
68. Wareing M, Fisk J E, Murphy P N (2000) Working memory deficits in current and previous users of MDMA ('ecstasy'). Br J Psychol 91: 181-188
69. Winstock A R, Griffiths P, Stewart D (2001) Drugs and the dance music scene: a survey of current drug use patterns among a sample of dance music enthusiasts in the UK. Drug Alcohol Depend 64: 9-17
70. Woods S P, Rippeth J D, Conover E, Gongvatana A, Gonzalez R, Carey C L, Cherner M, Heaton R K, Grant I (2005) Deficient strategic control of verbal encoding and retrieval in individuals with methamphetamine dependence. Neuropsychology 19: 35-43