Authors: Leslie K Jacobsen W Einar Mencl Kenneth R Pugh Pawel Skudlarski John H Krystal
Publish Date: 2003/11/28
Volume: 173, Issue: 3-4, Pages: 383-390
Abstract
34Methylenedioxymethamphetamine MDMA or ecstasy is a potent and selective serotonin neurotoxin whose use is growing among adolescents Although cognitive deficits among adult MDMA users are well documented little is known of the cognitive and brain functional sequelae of MDMA use during adolescenceSelective and divided attention and verbal working memory were examined in six adolescent MDMA users and six nonusers of MDMA who were similar in age gender IQ and other substance use Brain function was assessed during performance of the working memory task using functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRIMDMA use in adolescence may be associated with cognitive impairments and dysfunction of inhibitory circuits within the hippocampus Further work is urgently needed to delineate the developmental impact and longterm functional and clinical significance of MDMA use during adolescence
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