University of Tasmania, Australia

There is emerging evidence that use of the illicit drug ‘ecstasy’ (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) may produce both short and long-term changes in cognitive performance, especially in areas such as verbal memory and impulsiveness. This has important health consequences for people who consume these drugs. However, the factors leading to these cognitive changes are complex and may depend upon issues such as dose patterns, physical activity and temperature while the drug is active, and the simultaneous consumption of other drugs, such as alcohol, cannabis or methamphetamine. This series of studies would be the first conducted internationally to clarify the role of each of these factors on cognition by assessing current ‘ecstasy’ consumers prospectively. These studies will use the novel technique of ecological momentary assessment. This technique uses hand-held mobile computers to allow the assessment of behaviour, mood and cognition in real-time, at many times over the day, over the course of several weeks. This allows clear assessment of baseline performance in periods prior to ecstasy use, and accurate assessment of behaviour and cognition in the period following use. The results of these studies will provide both a greater understanding of the effects of ‘ecstasy’ use on the brain and importantly, evidence which can directly lead to improved health for individuals which consume these drugs.