Functional Brain Imaging in Recreational Users of Ecstasy

NCT ID: NCT00254306

Last Updated: 2011-07-07

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 18 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2006-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2011-07-31

Brief Summary

Recreational use of "ecstasy" (MDMA; 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is associated with long-lasting effects on metabolism in the human brain. The investigators propose to investigate whether chronic use of "ecstasy" is associated with impairment in motor skills and function of the dopaminergic system in recreational users of "ecstasy" compared with healthy volunteers. This will be done by scanning control subjects and "ecstasy" users at baseline and after performing on a motorbike riding computer game, while imaging dopamine in vivo with I123-IBZM (a D2 receptor radiotracer), using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Detailed Description

Recreational use of "ecstasy" (MDMA; 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is associated with long-lasting effects on metabolism in the human brain. In particular, there is evidence of long-term damage to the brains' neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT). It is also known that chronic use of Methamphetamine (which is similar in its chemical structure to "ecstasy") is linked to impaired cognitive and motor skills despite recovery of dopamine transporters (DAT). We have investigated whether chronic use of "ecstasy" is causing any impairment in motor skills and function of the dopaminergic system in recreational users of "ecstasy". In our preliminary study, we have scanned control subjects and "ecstasy" users, at baseline and after performing on a motorbike riding computer game while imaging dopamine in vivo with [123I] IBZM (a D2 receptor radiotracer) in Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). We showed:

1. Lower measures of D2 at baseline in ecstasy users compared with control subjects, that means lower level of dopaminergic activity in "ecstasy" users.

2. Significant displacement of [123I] IBZM by endogenous dopamine released during the game in healthy subjects unlike "ecstasy" users, that means that recreational users of "ecstasy" release much less natural dopamine.

3. No difference between the groups in performance (reaction time) on riding the game after a year of recovery.

Our results show preliminary evidence for dopaminergic deficiency in "ecstasy" users, a finding that has not been shown before. However, similar to other drugs of abuse, it is not known whether dopaminergic deficiency is the cause or consequence of the use of "ecstasy". We now propose to proceed to scan more recreational users of "ecstasy" in order to assess whether chronic use of "ecstasy" is associated with deficient dopaminergic neurotransmission in the brain.

Conditions

Amphetamine-Related Disorders

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

1

ex-"ecstasy" users

No interventions assigned to this group

2

control subjects

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Chronic users of ecstasy, and healthy controls, with no other diseases or drug abuse

Exclusion Criteria

• Pregnant and breast feeding women
• Aged below 18
• Neurological disorders
• Drug abuse

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Hadassah Medical Organization

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Hadassah Medical Organization

Principal Investigators

Yodphat Krausz, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hadassah Medical Organization

Aviv M Weinstein, Ph.D

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Hadassah Medical Organization

Locations

Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, Hadassah Hospital, Ein Kerem

Jerusalem, , Israel

Countries

Israel

Other Identifiers

n/q

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

050893-HMO-CTIL

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id