The NeXT Study

This observational trial (n=225) aims to investigate the potential neurotoxic effects of the party drug Ecstasy (MDMA) on the human brain and brain function.

Conducted by UMC Utrecht in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam and Erasmus Medical Center, the study employs a combination of prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional approaches. It follows a cohort of MDMA-naïve individuals at high risk for first-time use, as well as users with varying levels of prior exposure. Using neuroimaging techniques such as SPECT, MRI, and fMRI, alongside clinical assessments of memory, mood, and personality, researchers aim to determine the causality, progression, and clinical significance of MDMA-related neurotoxicity. The findings will contribute to public health messaging, clinical decision-making, and national policy regarding MDMA use.

Topic Healthy Subjects Safety
Compound MDMA
Country Netherlands
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Trial Details



Trial Number

Sponsors & Collaborators

Utrecht University
Some researchers at Utrecht University are working on a large psychedelics study with colleagues from Leiden University, but this university hasn't set up any department specifically for psychedelic studies.

Data attribution

A large set of the trials in our database are sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (CTG). We have modified these post to display the information in a more clear format or to correct spelling mistakes. Our database in actively updated and may show a different status (e.g. completed) if we have knowledge of this update (e.g. a published paper on the study) which isn't reflected yet on CTG. If a trial is not sourced from CTG, this is indicated on this page and you can follow the link to the alternative source of information.