Korte- en langetermijneffecten van ecstasy op serotonineproducerende hersencellen en het geheugen

To establish the short- and long-term effects of moderate and heavy use of ecstasy (XTC) on the human brain by means of ‘single photon’-emission computer tomography (SPECT) and a memory test.

Design

Retrospective.

Method

Four different groups of experimental subjects were recruited by means of fliers at parties and in clubs: controls (n = 15), moderate users of XTC (a total of < 50 pills ever used to date; n = 15), heavy users of XTC (≥ 50 pills ever used to date; n = 23) and former heavy users (≥ 50 pills ever used, the last pill being > 1 year ago; n = 16). All experimental subjects signed a written declaration of informed consent. The research protocol was approved by the medical ethical committee. The density of the serotonin transporter was measured in 6 different areas of the brain using SPECT. Within one day after the SPECT-study, the memory was tested with the aid of the ‘15-word test’.

Results

There were no significant differences between the 4 groups in age, verbal intelligence, or the use of alcohol, tobacco or cannabis. XTC-users had used more amphetamine and cocaine, however. The XTC-consumption was higher in men than in women. The serotonin transporter density measured by means of SPECT, as a measure of the density of the serotonin-producing neurons, was significantly lower in female heavy users than in controls, but was not lower in male XTC-users. In female former users, the density was no different from that in controls. The memory capacity was reduced in both heavy male and female users and former users.

Conclusion

Heavy XTC-use led to damage to the serotonin-producing cells in the brain, to which women seem to be more susceptible than men. Furthermore, heavy XTC-use was associated with disturbances in memory. Although the serotonin-producing cells appeared to recover (partially) after XTC-use was stopped, the effects on memory seemed to be of longer duration.