Assessing the functional significance of ecstasy-related memory deficits using a virtual paradigm

Article


Montgomery, Catharine, Hatton, Nicholas P., Fisk, John E., Ogden, Ruth S. and Jansari, A. 2010. Assessing the functional significance of ecstasy-related memory deficits using a virtual paradigm. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 25 (4), pp. 318-325.
AuthorsMontgomery, Catharine, Hatton, Nicholas P., Fisk, John E., Ogden, Ruth S. and Jansari, A.
Abstract

Rationale/Objectives: Previous research shows that the use of ecstasy results in working memory and executive impairments in some users. The present study sought to assess the functional significance of such deficits using a virtual reality task. Methods: Twenty-three ecstasy-polydrug users and 26 nonusers were recruited. Individuals completed a drug use questionnaire measures of sleep quality and fluid intelligence. Participants also completed a virtual reality executive function task in which they play the role of an office worker for the day completing predefined tasks such as prioritising different activities according to their importance, organising the physical office environment and managing the outgoing mail in accordance with a delivery schedule. Results: MANOVA revealed that ecstasy users performed worse on the virtual reality task overall, and this was due to poorer performance on the planning and selection subscales. Contrary to expectations, ecstasy-polydrug users performed better on the time-based prospective memory subscale. Indices of ecstasy use were correlated with the planning subscale of the virtual task. Conclusions: The present study provides further support for ecstasy/polydrug related deficits in executive functioning. As it is possible that this task is more ecologically valid and relevant to day-to-day activities of many users, previous research finding null results on executive function tasks may have underestimated the impact of ecstasy-polydrug use on executive functioning.

Keywordsecstasy; MDMA; cannabis; cocaine; executive function; polydrug; virtual reality
JournalHuman Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental
Journal citation25 (4), pp. 318-325
ISSN0885-6222
1099-1077
Year2010
Accepted author manuscript
License
CC BY-ND
Web address (URL)http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hup.1119
http://hdl.handle.net/10552/1092
Publication dates
PrintJun 2010
Publication process dates
Deposited02 Dec 2010
Additional information

Citation:
Montgomery, C., Hatton, N.P., Fisk, J.E., Ogden, R.S., Jansari, A. (2010) ‘Assessing the functional significance of ecstasy-related memory deficits using a virtual paradigm’ Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental 25 (4) pp. 318-325..

Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/86239

Download files


Accepted author manuscript
  • 181
    total views
  • 419
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Effect of mindfulness meditation on brain–computer interface performance
Tan, Lee-Fan, Dienes, Zoltan, Jansari, A. and Goh, Sing-Yau 2014. Effect of mindfulness meditation on brain–computer interface performance. Consciousness and Cognition. 23, pp. 12-21.
Comparing implicit and synaesthetic number-space associations: visuospatial and verbal SNARC effects
Jonas, C., Spiller, M., Jansari, A. and Ward, Jamie 2013. Comparing implicit and synaesthetic number-space associations: visuospatial and verbal SNARC effects. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology.
Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Brain-Computer Interface Performance
Tan, Lee-Fan, Dienes, Zoltan and Jansari, A. 2014. Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Brain-Computer Interface Performance. Consciousness and Cognition. 23 (1), pp. 12-21.
Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment
Jansari, A., Froggatt, Daniel, Edginton, Trudi and Dawkins, L. 2012. Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment. Addiction. 108 (5), pp. 977-984.
Detecting the onset of accelerated long-term forgetting: evidence from temporal lobe epilepsy
McGibbon, Terence and Jansari, A. 2012. Detecting the onset of accelerated long-term forgetting: evidence from temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuropsychologia. 51 (1), pp. 114-122.
Bilateral redundancy gain and callosal integrity in a man with callosal lipoma: a diffusion-tensor imaging study
Roser, Matthew E., Corballis, Michael C., Jansari, A., Fulford, Jon, Benattayallah, Abdelmalek and Adams, William M. 2012. Bilateral redundancy gain and callosal integrity in a man with callosal lipoma: a diffusion-tensor imaging study. Neurocase. 18 (3), pp. 185-198.
Visual experience facilitates allocentric spatial representation
Pasqualotto, Achille, Spiller, M., Jansari, A. and Proulx, Michael J. 2012. Visual experience facilitates allocentric spatial representation. Behavioural Brain Research. 236 (1), pp. 175-179.
Cannabis-related deficits in real-world memory
Montgomery, C., Seddon, A.L., Fisk, J.E., Murphy, P.N. and Jansari, A. 2012. Cannabis-related deficits in real-world memory. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 27 (2), pp. 217-225.
Rapidly measuring the speed of unconscious learning: amnesics learn quickly and happy people slowly
Dienes, Zoltan, Baddeley, Roland J. and Jansari, A. 2012. Rapidly measuring the speed of unconscious learning: amnesics learn quickly and happy people slowly. PLoS ONE. 7 (3), p. e33400.
The effects of a modest dose of alcohol on executive functioning and prospective memory
Montgomery, C., Ashmore, K.V. and Jansari, A. 2011. The effects of a modest dose of alcohol on executive functioning and prospective memory. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 26 (3), pp. 208-215.
Identifying facial emotions: valence specific effects and an exploration of the effects of viewer gender
Jansari, A., Rodway, P. and Goncalves, Salvador 2011. Identifying facial emotions: valence specific effects and an exploration of the effects of viewer gender. Brain and Cognition. 76 (3), pp. 415-423.
When “long-term memory” no longer means “forever”: analysis of accelerated long-term forgetting in a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy
Jansari, A., Davis, Kavus, McGibbon, Terence, Firminger, Stephanie and Kapur, Narinder 2010. When “long-term memory” no longer means “forever”: analysis of accelerated long-term forgetting in a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuropsychologia. 48 (6), pp. 1707-1715.
A case of selective impairment of encyclopaedic numerical knowledge or ‘when December 25th is no longer Christmas day, but ‘20 + 5’ is still 25
Cappelletti, Marinella, Jansari, A., Kopelman, Michael and Butterworth, Brian 2008. A case of selective impairment of encyclopaedic numerical knowledge or ‘when December 25th is no longer Christmas day, but ‘20 + 5’ is still 25. Cortex. 44 (3), pp. 325-336.