Abstract
Abstract
Rationale: 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy ) is a popular recreational drug amongst some groups of young people. MDMA modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic activity in the brain, and has been shown to be neurotoxic. Disturbances in both these transmitter systems are believed to be of importance concerning psychiatric illness. Disturbance in dopaminergic activity is also believed to be associated with cognitive impairment. Therefore it has been a concern that recreational use of MDMA may have effects on mental health and cognitive function in humans. Objective: To assess the possible impact of repeated administration of MDMA on mental health and cognitive functions. Methods: A literature review was carried out using MEDLINE. 17 studies were included in this literature review. Results: All studies on mental health found an association between repeated administration of MDMA and psychopathology. All studies on cognitive impairment but one, found an association between repeated administration of MDMA and cognitive impairment. Conclusions: There seems to be a relation between the repeated administration of MDMA and cognitive impairment. There also seems to be a relation between repeated administration of MDMA and psychopathology. However, in the latter case it is not obvious which of the two phenomena that precedes the other. This literature review suggests that we still should advise strongly against the use of MDMA as a recreational drug. More studies with a good design should be carried out in order to find out more about dose-response relations and duration of the side effects.