Simon NG, Mattick RP. The impact of regular ecstasy use on memory function.
Addiction 2002 97:1523-29
This interesting study compared regular ecstasy users with cannabis users on
a variety of verbal, spacial and other tests of memory. It is gratifying to
see a realistic comparison after numerous studies, mostly from America, in
which drug users are compared with teetotallers.
Most of the ecstasy using volunteers (average lifetime use ~90 tablets) were
also cannabis users, making the comparison particularly appropriate and the
results therefore more rigorous.
"Conclusion: This study does not show memory impairment in a group of
ecstasy users relative to cannabis using controls. The previously reported
association of life-time exposure to ecstasy and memory was not found. The
findings may indicate a confounding role of cannabis use, as has been
recently reported."
comments by Andrew Byrne ..
