Ecstasy exposure & gender: examining components of verbal memory functioning. PLoS One 2014;9(12):e115645
Date
12/30/2014Pubmed ID
25545890Pubmed Central ID
PMC4278706DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0115645Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84919934186 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 9 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated verbal memory deficits associated with past year ecstasy use, although specific underlying components of these deficits are less understood. Further, prior research suggests potential gender differences in ecstasy-induced serotonergic changes. Therefore, the current study investigated whether gender moderated the relationship between ecstasy exposure and components of verbal memory after controlling for polydrug use and confounding variables.
METHOD: Data were collected from 65 polydrug users with a wide range of ecstasy exposure (ages 18-35; 48 ecstasy and 17 marijuana users; 0-2310 ecstasy tablets). Participants completed a verbal learning and memory task, psychological questionnaires, and a drug use interview.
RESULTS: Increased past year ecstasy exposure predicted poorer short and long delayed free and cued recalls, retention, and recall discrimination. Male ecstasy users were more susceptible to dose-dependent deficits in retention than female users.
CONCLUSION: Past year ecstasy consumption was associated with verbal memory retrieval, retention, and discrimination deficits in a dose-dependent manner in a sample of healthy young adult polydrug users. Male ecstasy users were at particular risk for deficits in retention following a long delay. Gender difference may be reflective of different patterns of polydrug use as well as increased hippocampal sensitivity. Future research examining neuronal correlates of verbal memory deficits in ecstasy users are needed.
Author List
Price JS, Shear P, Lisdahl KMAuthor
Jenessa Price PhD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Amphetamine-Related Disorders
Female
Humans
Male
Marijuana Abuse
Memory
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
Sex Factors
Verbal Learning
