TY - JOUR
T1 - The effect of Ecstasy on memory is moderated by a functional polymorphism in the cathechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene
AU - Schilt, Thelma
AU - Koeter, Maarten W.J.
AU - de Win, Maartje M.L.
AU - Zinkstok, Janneke R.
AU - van Amelsvoort, Thérèse A.
AU - Schmand, Ben
AU - den Brink, Wim van
PY - 2009/2/1
Y1 - 2009/2/1
N2 - There is ample evidence for decreased verbal memory in heavy Ecstasy users. However, findings on the presence of a dose-response relation are inconsistent, possibly due to individual differences in genetic vulnerability. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in the catabolism of Ecstasy. Therefore, COMT gene polymorphisms may moderate this vulnerability. We prospectively assessed verbal memory in subjects with a high risk for future Ecstasy use, and compared 59 subjects after first Ecstasy use with 60 subjects that remained Ecstasy-naive. In addition, we tested the interaction effect of Ecstasy and the functional val 158met polymorphism on verbal memory. Met-allele carriers were somewhat more sensitive to the effects of Ecstasy on verbal learning than homozygous val-subjects. After correction for the use of other substances this effect was no longer statistically significant. The findings suggest that the COMT gene moderates the negative effect of Ecstasy on memory, but also other drug use seems to play a role.
AB - There is ample evidence for decreased verbal memory in heavy Ecstasy users. However, findings on the presence of a dose-response relation are inconsistent, possibly due to individual differences in genetic vulnerability. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in the catabolism of Ecstasy. Therefore, COMT gene polymorphisms may moderate this vulnerability. We prospectively assessed verbal memory in subjects with a high risk for future Ecstasy use, and compared 59 subjects after first Ecstasy use with 60 subjects that remained Ecstasy-naive. In addition, we tested the interaction effect of Ecstasy and the functional val 158met polymorphism on verbal memory. Met-allele carriers were somewhat more sensitive to the effects of Ecstasy on verbal learning than homozygous val-subjects. After correction for the use of other substances this effect was no longer statistically significant. The findings suggest that the COMT gene moderates the negative effect of Ecstasy on memory, but also other drug use seems to play a role.
KW - 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
KW - Catechol-O-methyltransferase
KW - MDMA
KW - Memory
KW - Neuropsychology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=57749207924&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.10.004
DO - 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.10.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 19042106
AN - SCOPUS:57749207924
SN - 0924-977X
VL - 19
SP - 116
EP - 124
JO - European Neuropsychopharmacology
JF - European Neuropsychopharmacology
IS - 2
ER -