This re-analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study (n=18) compared the effects of MDMA (75mg) and Ritalin (20mg) concerning spatial memory performance. Results indicated that a single dose of MDMA caused subjects to perform worse on a simple spatial memory task only during acute intoxication. It did not affect their ability to detect rapid contextual changes in visuospatial information relevant to traffic safety.
Abstract of Acute dose of MDMA (75 mg) impairs spatial memory for location but leaves contextual processing of visuospatial information unaffected
“Rationale: Research concerning spatial memory in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) users has presented conflicting results showing either the presence or absence of spatial memory deficits. Two factors may have confounded results in abstinent users: memory task characteristics and polydrug use.
Objectives: The present study aims to assess whether a single dose of MDMA affects spatial memory performance during intoxication and withdrawal phase and whether spatial memory performance after MDMA is task dependent.
Methods: Eighteen recreational MDMA users participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover design. They were treated with placebo, MDMA 75 mg, and methylphenidate 20 mg. Memory tests were conducted between 1.5 and 2 h (intoxication phase) and between 25.5 and 26 h (withdrawal phase) post-dosing. Two spatial memory tasks of varying complexity were used that required either storage of stimulus location alone (spatial memory task) or memory for location as well as processing of content or contextual information (change blindness task).
Results: After a single dose of MDMA, the subjects made larger localization errors and responded faster compared to placebo in the simple spatial memory task during intoxication phase. Inaccuracy was not due to increased response speed, as determined by regression analysis. Performance in the change blindness task was not affected by MDMA. Methylphenidate did not affect performance on any of the tasks.
Conclusion: It is concluded that a single dose of MDMA impairs spatial memory for location but leaves processing of contextual information intact.”
Authors: Kim P. C. Kuypers & Johannes G. Ramaekers
Summary of Acute dose of MDMA (75 mg) impairs spatial memory for location but leaves contextual processing of visuospatial information unaffected
Eighteen recreational MDMA users participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-way crossover design to assess how a single dose of MDMA affects spatial memory performance during intoxication and withdrawal phase, and whether spatial memory performance after MDMA is task dependent.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) has been associated with cognitive impairments in abstinent and/or current Ecstasy users, particularly problems with verbal memory. However, research concerning spatial memory in MDMA users has provided mixed results.
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https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-006-0321-7
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Cite this paper (APA)
Kuypers, K. P., & Ramaekers, J. G. (2007). Acute dose of MDMA (75 mg) impairs spatial memory for location but leaves contextual processing of visuospatial information unaffected. Psychopharmacology, 189, 557-563.
Study details
Compounds studied
MDMA
Topics studied
Safety
Healthy Subjects
Study characteristics
Original Re-analysis
Placebo-Controlled
Active Placebo
Double-Blind
Within-Subject
Randomized
Participants
18
Humans
Authors
Authors associated with this publication with profiles on Blossom
Kim KuypersKim Kuypers is a researcher at Maastricht University. Her work is concerned with understanding the neurobiology underlying flexible cognition, empathy, and well-being. One of the main ways she does is with the use of psychedelics.
Johannes Ramaekers
Johannes Ramaekers is a professor at Maastricht University his work focuses on behavioral toxicology of drugs and combines methods from psychopharmacology, forensic toxicology and neuroscience to determine drug-induced changes in human performance. Some of this research is done with DMT.
Institutes
Institutes associated with this publication
Maastricht UniversityMaastricht University is host to the psychopharmacology department (Psychopharmacology in Maastricht) where various researchers are investigating the effects of psychedelics.
Compound Details
The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times
MDMA 75 mg | 1xLinked Research Papers
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