Roberts, CA, Quednow, BB, Montgomery, C and Parrott, AC (2017) MDMA and brain activity during neurocognitive performance: An overview of neuroimaging studies with abstinent 'Ecstasy' users. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 84. pp. 470-482. ISSN 0149-7634

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Abstract

MDMA/Ecstasy has had a resurgence in popularity, with recent supplies comprising higher strength MDMA, potentially leading to increased drug-related harm. Neurocognitive problems have been widely reported in ecstasy users, equally some studies report null findings, and it remains unclear which factors underlie the development of neurocognitive impairments. This review covers the empirical research into brain activity during neurocognitive performance, using fMRI, fNIRS, and EEG. Our main conclusion is that chronic repeated use of recreational ecstasy can result in haemodynamic and electrophysiological changes that reflect recruitment of additional resources to perform cognitive tasks. Findings are consistent with serotonergic system changes, although whether this reflects neurotoxicity or neuroadaptation, cannot be answered from these data. There is a degree of heterogeneity in the methodologies and findings, limiting the strengths of current conclusions. Future research with functional neuroimaging paired with molecular imaging, genetics or pharmacological challenges of the serotonin system may help to decipher the link between serotonergic and cognitive changes in ecstasy users.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	11 Medical And Health Sciences, 17 Psychology And Cognitive Sciences
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Divisions:	Natural Sciences & Psychology (closed 31 Aug 19)
Publisher:	Elsevier
Related URLs:	https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28801175
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2017 08:33
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2021 11:09
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.07.015
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/7242

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