MDMA and heightened cortisol: a neurohormonal perspective on the pregnancy outcomes of mothers used ‘Ecstasy’ during pregnancy

Article

Parrott, Andrew C., Moore, D., Turner, J., Goodwin, Julia E., Min, Meeyoung O. and Singer, Lynn T. 2014. MDMA and heightened cortisol: a neurohormonal perspective on the pregnancy outcomes of mothers used ‘Ecstasy’ during pregnancy. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 29 (1), pp. 1-7.
AuthorsParrott, Andrew C., Moore, D., Turner, J., Goodwin, Julia E., Min, Meeyoung O. and Singer, Lynn T.
Abstract

Objective: The illicit recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or Ecstasy has strong neurohormonal effects. When taken by recreational users at dance clubs and raves, it can generate an 800% increase in the stress hormone cortisol, whereas drug-free users show chronically raised levels of cortisol. The aim here is to critically debate this neurohormonal influence for the children of pregnant MDMA-using mothers.

Methods: High levels of cortisol are known to be damaging for neuropsychobiological well-being in adult humans. MDMA can damage foetal development in laboratory animals, and the prospective Drugs and Infancy Study was established to monitor the effects of MDMA taken recreationally by pregnant women.

Results: The Drugs and Infancy Study revealed that young mothers, who took MDMA during the first trimester of pregnancy, gave birth to babies with significant gross psychomotor retardation. These mothers would have experienced high levels of cortisol due to Ecstasy/MDMA use, and since cortisol can cross the placenta, this is likely to have also occurred in the foetus.

Conclusions: In terms of causation, the developmental problems may reflect a combination of neurotransmitter and neurohormonal effects on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, with serotonergic activity being influenced by the high levels of cortisol.

JournalHuman Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental
Journal citation29 (1), pp. 1-7
ISSN0885-6222
Year2014
PublisherWiley
Accepted author manuscript
License
CC BY
Web address (URL)http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hup.2342
Publication dates
Print14 Jan 2014
Publication process dates
Deposited11 Feb 2014
Copyright informationThe definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/85qxx

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
hup2342.pdf
License: CC BY

  • 410
    total views
  • 541
    total downloads
  • 5
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

The impact of a brief online mindfulness intervention to support erectile dysfunction in African Caribbean men: a pilot waitlist controlled randomised controlled trial and content analysis
Banbury, S., Jean-Marie, D., Lusher, J., Chandler, C. and Turner, J. 2024. The impact of a brief online mindfulness intervention to support erectile dysfunction in African Caribbean men: a pilot waitlist controlled randomised controlled trial and content analysis. Revista de Psicoterapia. 35 (128), pp. 4-12. https://doi.org/10.5944/rdp.v35i128.40382
An exploration of medical professionals’ attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis in the United Kingdom
Heeg, H., Morari, A., Lynskey, M. and Turner, J. 2024. An exploration of medical professionals’ attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis in the United Kingdom. Drug Science, Policy and Law. 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503245241283699
A Preliminary Study Looking at the Use of Mindful Compassion and Cannabis Suppositories for Anodyspareunia among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)
Banbury, S., Chandler, C., Erridge, S., Turner, J., del Rio Olvera, J. and Lusher, J. 2024. A Preliminary Study Looking at the Use of Mindful Compassion and Cannabis Suppositories for Anodyspareunia among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM). Psychoactives. 3 (3), pp. 384-399. https://doi.org/10.3390/psychoactives3030024
Understanding the experiences of ketogenic metabolic therapy for people living with varying levels of depressive symptoms: a thematic analysis
Bellamy, E. L., Hadjiefthyvoulou, F., Walsh, J., Brown, J. and Turner, J. 2024. Understanding the experiences of ketogenic metabolic therapy for people living with varying levels of depressive symptoms: a thematic analysis. Frontiers in Nutrition. 11 (Art. 1397546). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1397546
Predictors of Suicide Attempts in Male UK Gamblers Seeking Residential Treatment
Sharman, S., Murphy, R., Turner, J. and Roberts, A. 2021. Predictors of Suicide Attempts in Male UK Gamblers Seeking Residential Treatment. Addictive Behaviors. 126 (Art. 107171). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107171
Review: Non‐invasive brain stimulation in behavioral addictions: insights from direct comparisons with substance use disorders
Gomis Vicent, E., Thoma, V., Turner, J., Hill, K. P. and Pascual‐Leone, A. 2019. Review: Non‐invasive brain stimulation in behavioral addictions: insights from direct comparisons with substance use disorders. The American Journal on Addictions. 28 (6), pp. 431-454. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajad.12945
Psychosocial Risk Factors in Disordered Gambling: A Descriptive Systematic Overview of Vulnerable Populations
Sharman, S., Murphy, R., Turner, J. and Roberts, A. 2019. Psychosocial Risk Factors in Disordered Gambling: A Descriptive Systematic Overview of Vulnerable Populations. Addictive Behaviors. 99 (Art. 106071). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106071
Predictors of Dropout in Disordered Gamblers in UK Residential Treatment
Roberts, A., Murphy, R., Turner, J. and Sharman, S. 2019. Predictors of Dropout in Disordered Gamblers in UK Residential Treatment. Journal of Gambling Studies. 36, p. 373–386. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-019-09876-7
Psychosocial correlates in treatment seeking gamblers: Differences in early age onset gamblers vs later age onset gamblers
Sharman, S., Murphy, Raegan, Turner, J. and Roberts, Amanda 2019. Psychosocial correlates in treatment seeking gamblers: Differences in early age onset gamblers vs later age onset gamblers. Addictive Behaviors. 97, pp. 20-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.05.013
Trends and patterns in UK treatment seeking gamblers: 2000–2015
Sharman, S., Murphy, Raegan, Turner, J. and Roberts, Amanda 2018. Trends and patterns in UK treatment seeking gamblers: 2000–2015. Addictive Behaviors. 89, pp. 51-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.09.009
The Impact of Academies on School Connectedness, Future Aspirations and Mental Health in Adolescents from Areas of Deprivation in London
Frostick, C., Tong, Jin, Moore, D., Renton, A. and Netuveli, G. 2018. The Impact of Academies on School Connectedness, Future Aspirations and Mental Health in Adolescents from Areas of Deprivation in London. Pastoral Care in Education. 36 (4), pp. 325-342. https://doi.org/10.1080/02643944.2018.1528626
Psychiatric profiles of mothers who take Ecstasy/MDMA during pregnancy: Reduced depression 1 year after giving birth and quitting Ecstasy
Turner, J., Parrott, Andrew C, Goodwin, Julia, Moore, Derek G, Fulton, Sarah, Min, Meeyoung O and Singer, Lynn T 2014. Psychiatric profiles of mothers who take Ecstasy/MDMA during pregnancy: Reduced depression 1 year after giving birth and quitting Ecstasy. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 28 (1), pp. 55-61. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881113515061
Aspects of alcohol use disorder affecting social cognition as assessed using the Mini Social and Emotional Assessment (mini-SEA)
Cox, Sharon, Bertoux, Maxime, Turner, J., Moss, Antony, Locker, Kirsty and Riggs, Kevin 2018. Aspects of alcohol use disorder affecting social cognition as assessed using the Mini Social and Emotional Assessment (mini-SEA). Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 187, pp. 165-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.03.004
Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS): no longer legal, not always highs
Turner, J. and Soar, K. 2017. Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS): no longer legal, not always highs. University & College Counselling. 2017 (March), pp. 16-21.
Well London: Results of a community engagement approach to improving health among adolescents from areas of deprivation in London
Frostick, C., Watts, P., Netuveli, G., Renton, A. and Moore, D. 2017. Well London: Results of a community engagement approach to improving health among adolescents from areas of deprivation in London. Journal of Community Practice. 25 (2), pp. 235-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2017.1309611
Gambling and violence in a nationally representative sample of UK men
Roberts, A., Coid, Jeremy, King, Robert, Murphy, Reagan, Turner, J., Bowden-Jones, Henrietta, Palmer Du Preez, Katie and Landon, Jason 2016. Gambling and violence in a nationally representative sample of UK men. Addiction. 111 (12), pp. 2196-2207. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.13522
Investigating the effects of caffeine on executive functions using traditional Stroop and a new ecologically-valid virtual reality task, the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©)
Soar, K., Chapman, E., Sivakuma, N., Jansari, A.S. and Turner, J. 2016. Investigating the effects of caffeine on executive functions using traditional Stroop and a new ecologically-valid virtual reality task, the Jansari assessment of Executive Functions (JEF©). Appetite. 105, pp. 156-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.05.021
Applying gaze-contingent training within community settings to infants from diverse SES backgrounds
Ballieux, H., Wass, Sam V., Tomalski, Przemyslaw, Kushnerenko, E., Karmiloff-Smith, Annette, Johnson, Mark H. and Moore, D. 2016. Applying gaze-contingent training within community settings to infants from diverse SES backgrounds. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. 43, pp. 8-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2015.12.005
Motor delays in MDMA (ecstasy) exposed infants persist to 2years
Singer, Lynn T., Moore, D., Min, Meeyoung O., Goodwin, Julia, Turner, J., Fulton, Sarah and Parrott, Andrew C. 2016. Motor delays in MDMA (ecstasy) exposed infants persist to 2years. Neurotoxicology and Teratology. 54, pp. 22-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ntt.2016.01.003
Separating the effects of ethnicity and socio-economic status on sleep practices of 6- to 7-month-old infants
Tomalski, Przemyslaw, Moore, D., Ballieux, H., Kushnerenko, E., Johnson, Mark H. and Karmiloff-Smith, Annette 2016. Separating the effects of ethnicity and socio-economic status on sleep practices of 6- to 7-month-old infants. Learning and Individual Differences. 46, pp. 64-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2015.12.028
The Educational and Employment Aspirations of Adolescents from Areas of High Deprivation in London
Frostick, C., Phillips, G., Renton, A. and Moore, D. 2015. The Educational and Employment Aspirations of Adolescents from Areas of High Deprivation in London. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 45 (6), pp. 1126-1140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0347-4
Feasibility of Undertaking Off-Site Infant Eye-Tracking Assessments of Neuro-Cognitive Functioning in Early-Intervention Centres
Ballieux, H., Tomalski, Przemyslaw, Kushnerenko, Elena, Karmiloff-Smith, Annette and Moore, D. 2015. Feasibility of Undertaking Off-Site Infant Eye-Tracking Assessments of Neuro-Cognitive Functioning in Early-Intervention Centres. Infant and Child Development.
Developmental outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)-exposed infants in the UK
Singer, Lynn T., Moore, Derek G., Min, Meeyoung O., Goodwin, Julia, Turner, J., Fulton, Sarah and Parrott, Andrew C. 2015. Developmental outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)-exposed infants in the UK. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 30 (4), pp. 290-294. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2459
Measures of exposure to the Well London Phase-1 intervention and their association with health well-being and social outcomes
Phillips, G., Bottomley, Christian, Schmidt, Elena, Tobi, P., Lais, Shahana, Yu, Ge, Lynch, Rebecca, Lock, Karen, Draper, Alizon, Moore, D., Clow, Angela, Petticrew, Mark, Hayes, Richard and Renton, A. 2014. Measures of exposure to the Well London Phase-1 intervention and their association with health well-being and social outcomes. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 68 (7), pp. 597-605.
The role of parental influences in the development of musical performance
Davidson, Jane W., Howe, Michael J. A., Moore, D. and Sloboda, John A. 2011. The role of parental influences in the development of musical performance. British Journal of Developmental Psychology. 14 (4), pp. 399-412.
One-Year Outcomes of Prenatal Exposure to MDMA and Other Recreational Drugs
Singer, L.T., Moore, D., Min, M.O., Goodwin, J., Turner, J., Fulton, S. and Parrott, A.C. 2012. One-Year Outcomes of Prenatal Exposure to MDMA and Other Recreational Drugs. Pediatrics. 130 (3), pp. 407-413. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-0666
Well London Phase-1: results among adults of a cluster-randomised trial of a community engagement approach to improving health behaviours and mental well-being in deprived inner-city neighbourhoods
Phillips, G., Bottomley, Christian, Schmidt, Elena, Tobi, P., Lais, Shahana, Yu, Ge, Lynch, Rebecca, Lock, Karen, Draper, Alizon, Moore, D., Clow, Angela, Petticrew, Mark, Hayes, Richard and Renton, A. 2014. Well London Phase-1: results among adults of a cluster-randomised trial of a community engagement approach to improving health behaviours and mental well-being in deprived inner-city neighbourhoods. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Brain responses to audiovisual speech mismatch in infants are associated with individual differences in looking behaviour
Kushnerenko, E., Tomalski, P., Ballieux, H., Ribeiro, Helena, Potton, A., Axelsson, Emma L., Murphy, Elizabeth and Moore, D. 2013. Brain responses to audiovisual speech mismatch in infants are associated with individual differences in looking behaviour. European Journal of Neuroscience. 38 (9), pp. 3363-3369.
Socioeconomic status and functional brain development - associations in early infancy
Tomalski, P., Moore, D., Ribeiro, Helena, Axelsson, Emma L., Murphy, Elizabeth, Karmiloff-Smith, Annette, Johnson, Mark H. and Kushnerenko, E. 2013. Socioeconomic status and functional brain development - associations in early infancy. Developmental Science. 16 (5), pp. 676-687.
Exploring early developmental changes in face scanning patterns during the perception of audiovisual mismatch of speech cues
Tomalski, P., Ribeiro, Helena, Ballieux, H., Axelsson, Emma L., Murphy, Elizabeth, Moore, D. and Kushnerenko, E. 2013. Exploring early developmental changes in face scanning patterns during the perception of audiovisual mismatch of speech cues. European Journal of Developmental Psychology. 10 (5), pp. 611-624.
Brain responses and looking behavior during audiovisual speech integration in infants predict auditory speech comprehension in the second year of life
Kushnerenko, E., Tomalski, P., Ballieux, H., Potton, A., Birtles, D., Frostick, C. and Moore, D. 2013. Brain responses and looking behavior during audiovisual speech integration in infants predict auditory speech comprehension in the second year of life. Frontiers in Psychology. 4 (432).
Physical activity in deprived communities in London: examining individual and neighbourhood-level factors
Watts, Paul, Phillips, G., Petticrew, Mark, Hayes, Richard, Bottomley, Christian, Yu, Ge, Schmidt, Elena, Tobi, P., Moore, D., Frostick, C., Lock, Karen and Renton, A. 2013. Physical activity in deprived communities in London: examining individual and neighbourhood-level factors. PLoS ONE. 8 (7), p. e69472. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0069472
‘Vaping’ profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users
Dawkins, L., Turner, J., Roberts, A. and Soar, K. 2013. ‘Vaping’ profiles and preferences: an online survey of electronic cigarette users. Addiction. 108 (6), pp. 1115-1125. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12150
The Olympic Regeneration in East London (ORiEL) study: protocol for a prospective controlled quasi-experiment to evaluate the impact of urban regeneration on young people and their families
Smith, N. R., Clark, C., Fahy, A. E., Tharmaratnam, V., Lewis, D. J., Thompson, C., Renton, A., Moore, D., Bhui, K. S., Taylor, S. J. C., Eldridge, S., Petticrew, M., Greenhalgh, T., Stansfeld, S. A. and Cummins, S. 2012. The Olympic Regeneration in East London (ORiEL) study: protocol for a prospective controlled quasi-experiment to evaluate the impact of urban regeneration on young people and their families. BMJ Open. 2 (4), p. e001840.
Nicotine derived from the electronic cigarette improves time-based prospective memory in abstinent smokers
Dawkins, L., Turner, J. and Crowe, Eadaoin 2013. Nicotine derived from the electronic cigarette improves time-based prospective memory in abstinent smokers. Psychopharmacology. 227 (3), pp. 377-384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-2983-2
The Well London program - a cluster randomized trial of community engagement for improving health behaviors and mental wellbeing: baseline survey results
Phillips, G., Renton, A., Moore, D., Bottomley, Christian, Schmidt, Elena, Lais, Shahana, Yu, Ge, Wall, Martin, Tobi, P., Frostick, C., Clow, Angela, Lock, Karen, Petticrew, Mark and Hayes, Richard 2012. The Well London program - a cluster randomized trial of community engagement for improving health behaviors and mental wellbeing: baseline survey results. Trials. 13 (105).
The electronic-cigarette: effects on desire to smoke, withdrawal symptoms and cognition
Dawkins, L., Turner, J., Hasna, Surrayyah and Soar, K. 2012. The electronic-cigarette: effects on desire to smoke, withdrawal symptoms and cognition. Addictive Behaviors. 37 (8), pp. 970-973.
Attributions for psychobiological changes in ecstasy/MDMA and other polydrug users
Soar, K., Parrott, A.C. and Turner, J. 2009. Attributions for psychobiological changes in ecstasy/MDMA and other polydrug users. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 23 (7), pp. 745-758.
During pregnancy, recreational drug-using women stop taking ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) and reduce alcohol consumption but continue to smoke tobacco and cannabis
Moore, D., Turner, J., Parrott, A.C., Goodwin, J.E., Fulton, S., Min, M.O., Fox, H.C., Braddick, F.M.B., Toplis, A.S., Axelsson, E.L., Lynch, S., Ribeiro, H., Frostick, C. and Singer, L.T. 2010. During pregnancy, recreational drug-using women stop taking ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) and reduce alcohol consumption but continue to smoke tobacco and cannabis. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 24 (9), pp. 1403-1410.
In-utero exposure to the popular ‘recreational’ drugs MDMA (Ecstasy) and Methamphetamine (Ice, Crystal): preliminary findings
Moore, D., Turner, J., Goodwin, J.E., Fulton, S.E., Singer, L.T. and Parrott, A.C. 2011. In-utero exposure to the popular ‘recreational’ drugs MDMA (Ecstasy) and Methamphetamine (Ice, Crystal): preliminary findings. in: Preece, P.M. and Riley, E.P. (ed.) Alcohol, drugs and medication in pregnancy: the long-term outcome for the child John Wiley & Sons.
Reassessing emotion recognition performance in people with mental retardation: a review
Moore, D. 2001. Reassessing emotion recognition performance in people with mental retardation: a review. American Journal on Mental Retardation. 106 (6), pp. 481-502.
A presentation briefly outlining the context, vision and future of the Institute for Research in Child Development presented at the UEL Research and Knowledge Exchange Conference. June 28th 2010.
Moore, D. 2010. A presentation briefly outlining the context, vision and future of the Institute for Research in Child Development presented at the UEL Research and Knowledge Exchange Conference. June 28th 2010. UEL Research and Knowledge Exchange Conference. University of East London, London 28 Jun 2012
Underestimating the emotion perception capacities of people with mental retardation
Moore, D. 2000. Underestimating the emotion perception capacities of people with mental retardation. in: Thommen, E. and Vogel, C. (ed.) Lire les passions Berne Peter Lang Publishing. pp. 79-96
Children’s understanding of the earth in a multicultural community: mental models or fragments of knowledge?
Nobes, Gavin, Moore, D., Martin, Alan E., Clifford, B., Butterworth, George, Panagiotaki, Georgia and Siegal, Michael 2003. Children’s understanding of the earth in a multicultural community: mental models or fragments of knowledge? Developmental Science. 6 (1), pp. 72-85.
The social context of musical success: a developmental account
Moore, D., Burland, Karen and Davidson, Jane W. 2003. The social context of musical success: a developmental account. British Journal of Psychology. 94 (4), pp. 529-549.
Infants perceive human point-light displays as solid forms
Moore, D., Goodwin, Julia E., George, R., Axelsson, Emma L. and Braddick, Fleur M.B. 2007. Infants perceive human point-light displays as solid forms. Cognition. 104 (2), pp. 377-396.
Recognition of biological motion in children with autistic spectrum disorders
Parron, Carole, Da Fonseca, David, Santos, Andreia, Moore, D., Monfardini, Elisa and Deruelle, Christine 2008. Recognition of biological motion in children with autistic spectrum disorders. Autism. 12 (3), pp. 261-274.
Behavior of mothers and infants with and without Down syndrome during the still-face procedure
Moore, D., Oates, John M., Goodwin, Julia E. and Hobson, R. Peter 2008. Behavior of mothers and infants with and without Down syndrome during the still-face procedure. Infancy. 13 (1), pp. 75-89. https://doi.org/10.1080/15250000701779394
A modified version of the BSID-II scales for cognitive matching of infants with and without Down syndrome
Moore, D., Goodwin, Julia E. and Oates, John M. 2008. A modified version of the BSID-II scales for cognitive matching of infants with and without Down syndrome. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 52 (6), pp. 554-561.
Social and cognitive development in children with Down syndrome: trying to build wider developmental models?
Moore, D. 2010. Social and cognitive development in children with Down syndrome: trying to build wider developmental models? s syndrome: trying to build wider developmental models?’ Keynote speaker ECIDD: European Conference on Psychological Theory and Research on Intellectual and Developmental Difficulties. University of Geneva 19th June 2010
Recognition of emotional and non-emotional biological motion in individuals with autistic spectrum disorders
Hubert, B., Wicker, B., Moore, D., Monfardini, E., Duverger, H., Da Fonséca, D. and Deruelle, C. 2007. Recognition of emotional and non-emotional biological motion in individuals with autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 37 (7), pp. 1386-1392.
Characteristics of music teachers and the progress of young instrumentalists
Davidson, Jane W., Moore, D., Sloboda, John A. and Howe, Michael J.A. 1998. Characteristics of music teachers and the progress of young instrumentalists. Journal of Research in Music Education. 46 (1), pp. 141-160.
Social cognition in children with Down's syndrome: challenges to research and theory building
Cebula, Katie R., Moore, D. and Wishart, Jennifer G. 2010. Social cognition in children with Down's syndrome: challenges to research and theory building. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 54 (2), pp. 113-134.
Cognitive and social factors in the development of infants with Down syndrome
Moore, D., Oates, John M., Hobson, R.P. and Goodwin, Julia E. 2002. Cognitive and social factors in the development of infants with Down syndrome. Downs Syndrome Research and Practice. 8 (2), pp. 43-52.
Evaluation of community level interventions to address social and structural determinants of health: a cluster randomised controlled trial
Wall, Martin, Hayes, Richard, Moore, D., Petticrew, Mark, Clow, Angela, Schmidt, Elena, Draper, Alizon, Lock, Karen, Lynch, Rebecca and Renton, A. 2009. Evaluation of community level interventions to address social and structural determinants of health: a cluster randomised controlled trial. BMC Public Health. 9 (207).