Abstract
Objectives: Visual memory has been implicated
as being impaired in users of the drug MDMA
(‘Ecstasy’). Other studies have documented
deficits in phonological measures of working
memory. The present study evaluated whether a
measure of visuo-spatial working memory was
impaired in users of MDMA and whether a
concurrent task loading on the central executive
exacerbated this tendency.
Design: User group (26 current MDMA users, 10
previous users and 18 non-MDMA users) was
between participants and dual task (concurrent
alphabetic generation, random letter generation,
and no dual task) within participants.
Method: The Spatial Working Memory task
required participants to serially recall a spatial
sequence while simultaneously completing a
visual judgement task. The task was completed
on its own and under dual task conditions.
Results: Overall, non-users performed
significantly better than both MDMA user groups.
Current and previous users did not differ
significantly from each other. However, contrary
to expectation no significant group by dual task
interaction was found. The performance
decrement among users was no worse with
concurrent random generation compared to
control conditions. The potentially confounding
effects of other drugs were explored via
ANCOVA. The main effect of MDMA remained
significant following control for amphetamine and
cocaine and remained marginally significant
following control for cannabis use.
Conclusions: This outcome suggests that
MDMA users as well as experiencing deficits in
phonologically based measures also experience
deficits in spatial working memory. The lack of an
apparent effect of dual task is explored with
reference to the notion of a fractionated executive
system.
Original language | English |
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Publication status | Published - 2003 |
Event | British Psychological Society (BPS) Annual Conference - Bournemouth, United Kingdom Duration: 13 Mar 2003 → 15 Mar 2003 |
Conference
Conference | British Psychological Society (BPS) Annual Conference |
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Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
City | Bournemouth |
Period | 13/03/03 → 15/03/03 |