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Inhibition of MDMA ‐induced increase in cortisol does not prevent acute impairment of verbal memory
Author(s) -
Kuypers KPC,
Torre R,
Farre M,
Pujadas M,
Ramaekers JG
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.02196.x
Subject(s) - mdma , memory impairment , neuroscience , psychology , medicine , pharmacology , cognition
Background Ecstasy use is commonly linked with memory deficits in abstinent ecstasy users. Similar impairments are being found during ecstasy intoxication after single doses of ± 3,4 metylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) . The concordance of memory impairments during intoxication and abstinence suggests a similar neuropharmacological mechanism underlying acute and chronic memory impairments. The mechanism underlying this impairment is to date not known. We hypothesized that cortisol might play an important role in this mechanism as cortisol, implicated in the regulation of memory performance, can be brought out of balance by stressors like MDMA . Methods In the present study, we aimed to block the MDMA ‐induced acute memory defect by giving participants a cortisol synthesis inhibitor (metyrapone) together with a single dose of MDMA . Seventeen polydrug MDMA users entered this placebo‐controlled within subject study with four treatment conditions. The treatments consisted of MDMA (75 mg) and metyrapone (750 mg), alone and in combination, and double placebo. Pre‐treatment with metyrapone or P lacebo occurred 1 h prior to MDMA or P lacebo administration. Memory performance was tested at peak drug concentrations by means of several memory tests. Cortisol levels were determined in blood and oral fluid; this served as a control measure to see whether manipulations were effective. Results Main findings indicated that whereas treatment with metyrapone blocked the expected MDMA ‐induced increase in cortisol levels in blood, it did not prevent the MDMA ‐induced memory deficit from happening. Conclusion We therefore conclude that MDMA ‐induced increments in cortisol concentrations are not related to MDMA ‐induced memory impairments.