Cognitive performance in light current users and ex-users of ecstasy (MDMA) and controls

Previous research has shown that heavy users of ecstasy (MDMA) may suffer impaired cognitive functioning, and the present study set out to investigate whether such impairment might also be found in light users or ex-users of MDMA. Sixty subjects, comprising 20 current light users, 20 ex-users, and 20 non-users of ecstasy, were tested on an extensive battery of cognitive tests. Current light users of ecstasy achieved significantly lower scores on the overall cognitive test battery than did the non-users (p = .011), though there were no significant differences on any individual subtests. However, the scores obtained by the ex-users of ecstasy did not differ significantly from those of the non-users. It was concluded that current light users of ecstasy show a small but significant cognitive impairment, but that no such impairment is detectable in ex-users who had abstained from the drug for at least 6 months.