Ecstasy Can Harm The Brains Of First-Time Users

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Article 30 Nov 2006 - 14:00pm (PST)

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Neurology / Neuroscience

 

Researchers have discovered that even a small amount of MDMA, better

known as ecstasy, can be harmful to the brain, according to the first

study to look at the neurotoxic effects of low doses of the

recreational drug in new ecstasy users. The findings were presented

at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America

(RSNA).

 

" We found a decrease in blood circulation in some areas of the brain

in young adults who just started to use ecstasy, " said Maartje de

Win, M.D., radiology resident at the Academic Medical Center at the

University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. " In addition, we found a

relative decrease in verbal memory performance in ecstasy users

compared to non-users. "

 

Ecstasy is an illegal drug that acts as a stimulant and psychedelic.

A 2004 survey by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found

that 450,000 people in the United States age 12 and over had used

ecstasy in the past 30 days. In 2005, NIDA estimated that 5.4 percent

of all American 12th graders had taken the drug at least once.

 

Ecstasy targets neurons in the brain that use the chemical serotonin

to communicate. Serotonin plays an important role in regulating a

number of mental processes including mood and memory.

 

Research has shown that long-term or heavy ecstasy use can damage

these neurons and cause depression, anxiety, confusion, difficulty

sleeping and decrease in memory. However, no previous studies have

looked at the effects of low doses of the drug on first-time users.

 

Dr. de Win and colleagues examined 188 volunteers with no history of

ecstasy use but at high-risk for first-time ecstasy use in the near

future. The examinations included neuroimaging techniques to measure

the integrity of cells and blood flow in different areas of the brain

and various psychological tests. After 18 months, 59 first-time

ecstasy users who had taken six tablets on average and 56 non-users

were re-examined with the same techniques and tests.

 

The study found that low doses of ecstasy did not severely damage the

serotonergic neurons or affect mood. However, there were indications

of subtle changes in cell architecture and decreased blood flow in

some brain regions, suggesting prolonged effects from the drug,

including some cell damage. In addition, the results showed a

decrease in verbal memory performance among low-dose ecstasy users

compared to non-users.

 

" We do not know if these effects are transient or permanent, " Dr. de

Win said. " Therefore, we cannot conclude that ecstasy, even in small

doses, is safe for the brain, and people should be informed of this

risk. "

 

This research is part of the Netherlands XTC Toxicity (NeXT) study,

which also looks at high-dose ecstasy users and aims to provide

information on long-term effects of ecstasy use in the general

population.

 

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Co-authors are Gerard J. Den Heeten, M.D., Ph.D., Gerry Jager, M.S.,

Liesbeth Reneman, M.D., T. Schilt, M.S., Jan Booij, M.D., Ph.D., C.

Lavini, D.Phil., and Win van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D.

 

RSNA is an association of more than 40,000 radiologists, radiation

oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists committed to

promoting excellence in radiology through education and by fostering

research, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. The

Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill.

 

The data in these releases may differ from those in the printed

abstract and those actually presented at the meeting, as researchers

continue to update their data right up until the meeting.

 

Contact: Maureen Morley

Radiological Society of North America