Everyday and prospective memory deficits in ecstasy/polydrug users

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Hadjiefthyvoulou, F., Fisk, J.E., Montgomery, C. and Bridges, N., 2011. Everyday and prospective memory deficits in ecstasy/polydrug users. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25 (4). ISSN 1461-7285

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269881109359101

Abstract

The impact of ecstasy/polydrug use on real-world memory (i.e. everyday memory, cognitive failures and prospective memory [PM]) was investigated in a sample of 42 ecstasy/polydrug users and 31 non-ecstasy users. Laboratory-based PM tasks were administered along with self-reported measures of PM to test whether any ecstasy/polydrug-related impairment on the different aspects of PM was present. Self-reported measures of everyday memory and cognitive failures were also administered. Ecstasy/polydrug associated deficits were observed on both laboratory and self-reported measures of PM and everyday memory. The present study extends previous research by demonstrating that deficits in PM are real and cannot be simply attributed to self-misperceptions. The deficits observed reflect some general capacity underpinning both time- and event-based PM contexts and are not task specific. Among this group of ecstasy/polydrug users recreational use of cocaine was also prominently associated with PM deficits. Further research might explore the differential effects of individual illicit drugs on real-world memory.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

Journal of Psychopharmacology

Creators:

Hadjiefthyvoulou, F., Fisk, J.E., Montgomery, C. and Bridges, N.

Publisher:

Sage on behalf of British Association for Psychopharmacology

Date:

2011

Volume:

Number: