Abstract
Rationale: To determine the association between MDMA misuse and neurocognition using meta-analysis. Objective: Separate analyses were conducted based on two sets of inclusion/exclusion criteria. A relatively stringent set required that the subjects be matched on important moderator variables, whereas the other did not. The study participants' performance in the following neurocognitive domains was reviewed: attention/concentration, verbal and nonverbal learning and memory, psychomotor speed and executive systems functioning. Results: In the 11 studies meeting the relatively stringent inclusion/exclusion criteria for this review, MDMA use was associated with neurocognitive deficits in each domain. Similarly, in the 23 studies meeting the relatively lenient inclusion/exclusion criteria for this review, MDMA use was associated with neurocognitive deficits in each domain. Small to medium effect sizes were generally observed. A comparison of the effect sizes across the two sets of analyses did not reveal significant differences. Conclusions: The findings from this review reveal that MDMA use is associated with neurocognitive deficits. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 531-537 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Psychopharmacology |
Volume | 189 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cognition
- Drug abuse
- Drug dependence
- Ecstasy
- Neuropsychology
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology