Research article summary (published 26 Feb 2008):

Acute neuropsychological effects of MDMA and ethanol (co-)administration in healthy volunteers.

Full Abstract

RATIONALE: In Western societies, a considerable percentage of young people expose themselves to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy"). Commonly, ecstasy is used in combination with other substances, in particular alcohol (ethanol). MDMA induces both arousing as well as hallucinogenic effects, whereas ethanol is a general central nervous system depressant. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to assess the acute effects of single and co-administration of MDMA and ethanol on executive, memory, psychomotor, visuomotor, visuospatial and attention function, as well as on subjective experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a four-way, double-blind, randomised, crossover, placebo-controlled study in 16 healthy volunteers (nine male, seven female) between the ages of 18-29. MDMA was given orally (100 mg) and blood alcohol concentration was maintained at 0.6 per thousand by an ethanol infusion regime. RESULTS: Co-administration of MDMA and ethanol was well tolerated and did not show greater impairment of performance compared to the single-drug conditions. Impaired memory function was consistently observed after all drug conditions, whereas impairment of psychomotor function and attention was less consistent across drug conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Co-administration of MDMA and ethanol did not exacerbate the effects of either drug alone. Although the impairment of performance by all drug conditions was relatively moderate, all induced significant impairment of cognitive function.

Author information

Author/s: Dumont, G J H (GJ); Wezenberg, E (E); Valkenberg, M M G J (MM); de Jong, C A J (CA); Buitelaar, J K (JK); van Gerven, J M A (JM); Verkes, R J (RJ);

Affiliation: Unit for Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuropsychiatry (UCPN), Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. G.J.H.Dumont(-atsign-)psy.umcn.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Psychopharmacology (Psychopharmacology (Berl)), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Apr; vol 197 (issue 3) : pp 465-74

Dates: Created 2008/03/21; Completed 2008/08/29; Revised 2009/01/29;

PMID: 18305926, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2008 Oct;200(2):305-6. (PMID: 18751682)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Attention - drug effects Cognition - drug effects Cross-Over Studies Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Double-Blind Method Drug Interactions Ethanol - blood; pharmacology Female

Female Humans Male Mental Recall - drug effects N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - pharmacology Neuropsychological Tests Orientation - drug effects Pattern Recognition, Visual - drug effects Problem Solving - drug effects Psychomotor Performance - drug effects

Associated Chemicals: N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (42542-10-9) ; Ethanol (64-17-5)

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