Acute dose of MDMA (75 mg) impairs spatial memory for location but leaves contextual processing of visuospatial information unaffected

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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Acute dose of MDMA (75 mg) impairs spatial memory for location but leaves contextual processing of visuospatial information unaffected

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. Psychopharmacology189, 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 Kuypers
Kim 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 University
Maastricht 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 | 1x

Linked Research Papers

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Transient memory impairment after acute dose of 75mg 3.4-Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine
This double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover-design study (n=18) investigated whether MDMA causes memory impairment during MDMA use or whether polydrug use is a confounding factor. It was found that a single dose of MDMA did indeed produce transient memory impairment.

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