Erowid
 
 
Plants - Drugs Mind - Spirit Freedom - Law Arts - Culture Library  
Is it important to you that the world have accurate information about drugs?
Please donate to support Erowid Center's vision!
2000 Reneman MDMA Memory Study
Abstract
Memory disturbances in "Ecstasy" users are correlated with an altered brain serotonin neurotransmission,
by L. Reneman; J. Booij; B. Schmand; W. van den Brink; B. Gunning
Psychopharmacology Vol 148 (No 3) 2000, 322-324




Rationale: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is known to damage brain pre-synaptic serotonin (5-HT) neurons. Since loss of 5-HT neurons has been implicated in memory loss, it is important to establish whether MDMA use may produce changes in postsynaptic 5-HT receptors and memory function in humans. Objectives: To investigate whether MDMA use leads to compensative alterations in post-synaptic 5-HT2A receptors and whether there is a relation with memory disturbances. Methods: Brain cortical 5-HT2A receptor densities were studied with [123I]-5-I-R91150 SPECT in five abstinent MDMA users and nine healthy controls. Memory performance was assessed using RAVLT. Results: [123I]-5-I-R91150 binding ratios were significantly higher in the occipital cortex of MDMA users than in controls, indicating up-regulation. Mean cortical 5-HT2A receptor binding correlated positively with RAVLT-recall in MDMA users. Conclusion: Our preliminary results may indicate altered 5-HT neuronal function with correlated memory impairment in abstinent MDMA users.