There is no convincing evidence that moderate MDMA use is associated with structural or functional brain alterations in neuroimaging measures .
MDMA ( " ecstasy " ) is widely used as a recreational drug , although there has been some debate about its neurotoxic effects in humans .
However , most studies have investigated subjects with heavy use patterns , and the effects of transient MDMA use are unclear .
In this review , we therefore focus on subjects with moderate use patterns , in order to assess the evidence for harmful effects .
The Netherlands XTC Toxicity (NeXT) study: objectives and methods of a study investigating causality, course, and clinical relevance.
This paper describes the objectives and methods of The Netherl and s XTC Toxicity ( NeXT ) study focussing on the causality , course , and clinical relevance of ecstasy neurotoxicity . Previous studies suggest that ecstasy ( 3,4 methylene-dioxymethamphetamine , MDMA , XTC ) is toxic toward brain serotonin axons , but most of these studies have serious method ological limitations . The current study is a combination of different approaches with three sub studies : ( 1 ) a crosssectional sub study among heavy ecstasy users and controls with variation in drug use , which will provide information about potential neurotoxic consequences of ecstasy in relation to other drugs ; ( 2 ) a prospect i ve cohort sub study in ecstasy-naive subjects with high risk for future ecstasy use , which will provide information on the causality and short-term course of ecstasy use and potential neurotoxicity , and ( 3 ) a retrospective cohort sub study in lifetime ecstasy users and matched controls of an existing epidemiological sample that will provide information on long-term course and outcome of ecstasy use in the general population . Neurotoxicity is studied using ( a ) different imaging techniques ( beta-CIT SPECT , 1H-MR spectroscopy , diffusion tensor imaging , perfusion weighted imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging ) , and ( b ) neuropsychological and psychiatric assessment s of memory , depression , and personality . The combined results will lead to conclusions that can be used in prevention messages , clinical decision making , and the development of an (inter)national ecstasy policy
There is no convincing evidence that moderate MDMA use is associated with structural or functional brain alterations in neuroimaging measures .
MDMA ( " ecstasy " ) is widely used as a recreational drug , although there has been some debate about its neurotoxic effects in humans .
However , most studies have investigated subjects with heavy use patterns , and the effects of transient MDMA use are unclear .
In this review , we therefore focus on subjects with moderate use patterns , in order to assess the evidence for harmful effects .