Cognitive performance amongst recreational users of "ecstasy"

Rationale: Previous work has suggested that memory impairments have been as sociated with the recreational use of "ecstasy". This previous work, howeve r, has not taken into consideration the additional use of cannabis amongst those examined. Cannabis use has also been associated with memory impairmen t. There is therefore a clear need to explore the impact of both of these i llicit substances upon memory ability. Objectives. To determine whether rec reational use of ecstasy impairs memory and attentional ability and to expl ore the impact of the concomitant use of cannabis upon these cognitive func tions. In addition, an exploration of subjective accounts of cognitive abil ity was undertaken to determine whether objective impairments were perceive d by users in everyday functioning. Methods: Cognitive functioning was exam ined in three groups of young people: 15 regular users of ecstasy; 15 regul ar users of cannabis who had never taken ecstasy and 15 control subjects wh o had never taken any illicit substances. The Weschler Memory Scale (revise d) and a computerised reaction time task were administered on a day when th e subjects claimed to be drug free. In addition, subjects completed a biogr aphical questionnaire and the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ) in ord er to assess subjective accounts of cognitive slips. Results: Performance w as similar across all three groups for measures of visual reaction time, au ditory reaction time, complex reaction time, visual memory and attention an d concentration. Significant impairment was found on measures of verbal mem ory in both cannabis users and ecstasy users. A significant impairment in p erformance was found on measures of delayed memory for the ecstasy users co mpared to both the cannabis group and the control group. Despite these find ings, no differences in subjective ratings of cognitive failures were found between the groups. Conclusions: The present study provides additional evi dence for long-term neuropsychological sequelae associated with the use of ecstasy, particularly with regard to delayed memory ability.