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Title

The effects of MDMA and methamphetamine on car driving simulator performance, cognitive skills, and mood states

Author(s)

Stough, C.;  Ogden, E.;  Owens, K.;  Swann, P.;  Gibbs, A.;  Parrott, A. C.;  Wesnes, K.;  King, R.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate car driving skills and cognitive abilities after the consumption of methamphetamine and MDMA. In previous studies we have demonstrated significant decrements following sedative drugs such as cannabis, and stimulants such as dexamphetamine. We have also documented the presence of stimulant drugs in many fatal traffic accidents, especially those involving road-train truck drivers in Australia. There is however disagreement over whether acute doses of MDMA will impair or improve cognitive function and driving behaviours in humans. Ramaekers et al. [3] reported that an acute dose of 75mg MDMA improved tracking accuracy, but impaired speed adaptation during carfollowing. Dastrup et al. noted that abstinent Ecstasy users were not impaired on car driving skills, but did assume extra risk. In an analysis of traffic accidents involving stimulant drugs, Verschraagen et al. reported more fatalities involving MDMA than amphetamine.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Brain Sciences Institute

Source

Open Addiction Journal, Vol. 4 (2011), p. 57

Publication year

2011

FOR Code(s)

1117 Public Health and Health Services;  1701 Psychology

Keyword(s)

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine;  Cognition;  Driving;  Ecstasy;  MDMA;  Methamphetamines;  Mood

Publisher

Bentham Open

ISSN

1874-9410

Publisher URL

http://www.benthamscience.com/open/toaddj/articles/V004/SI001TOADDJ/57TOADDJ.htm

Copyright

Copyright © Stough et al.; Licensee Bentham Open. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The published version of the paper is reproduced here in accordance with this policy.

Research Projects

Roadside saliva based testing for amphetamine-type stimulants in drivers: an evaluation of the relationship between positive drug tests and driving impairment after the consumption of methamphetamine and MDMA, Australian Research Council grant number DP0772762

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