Long-term ecstasy use impairs memory
By Nathan Seppa
The illicit drug methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also called MDMA or ecstasy, is known to cause memory problems. A new study for the first time finds that extended use of the drug can exacerbate this damage.
Researchers Konstantine K. Zakzanis and Donald A. Young of the University of Toronto identified 15 ecstasy users, ages 17 to 31. None reported alcohol dependence, and all had abstained from drugs for 2 weeks before testing.
The researchers gave each person a battery of standard memory tests, then repeated them 1 year later. Aside from their 2-week abstinence, the participants had used ecstasy on average 2.4 times per month for roughly 18 months before the first tests. The volunteers continued to use the drug about that often in the year between test sessions.