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Ecstasy use and self-reported depression, impulsivity, and sensation seeking: a prospective cohort study

Department of Radiology, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Graduate School Neurosciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Thelma Schilt

Department of Neurology, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Liesbeth Reneman

Department of Radiology, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Hylke Vervaeke

Bonger Institute of Criminology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Gerry Jager

Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Sarah Dijkink

Department of Radiology, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Jan Booij

Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Wim van den Brink

Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research and Department of Psychiatry, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Although there are indications that ecstasy users have higher levels of depression, impulsivity, and sensation seeking, it is unknown whether these are consequences of ecstasy use or predisposing factors for starting ecstasy use. We prospectively assessed the predictive value of depression, impulsivity, and sensation seeking on future .rst time ecstasy use. We also assessed whether depression, impulsivity, and sensation seeking had changed after .rst ecstasy use. Depression, impulsivity, and sensation seeking were assessed using self-report questionnaires in 188 ecstasynaive volunteers with high probability for future ecstasy use. After a mean follow-up of 17 months, measurements were repeated in 59 incident ecstasy users (mean 6.0 tablets) and 61 matched persistent ecstasy-naive volunteers. Only experience seeking (subscale of the sensation seeking scale) predicted future ecstasy use (OR -- 1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.10), but after adjustment for potential confounders this was not signi.cant anymore. At follow-up, signi.cant effects of ecstasy use on the general and the disinhibition subscale of the sensation seeking scale were observed (after adjustment for potential confounders: regression coef.cient B 0.51, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.83 and B -- 3.25, 95% CI 1.74 to 4.76, respectively). These data indicate that depression, impulsivity, and sensation seeking do not predict .rst time ecstasy use in a population of young adults with the intention to start using ecstasy and that low level ecstasy use does not seem to cause depression or impulsivity. However, low level ecstasy use may increase (certain aspects of) sensation seeking.

Key Words: depression • impulsivity • sensation seeking • psychopathology • ecstasy • MDMA • self-report questionnaires

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 20, No. 2, 226-235 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0269881106063275


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