Ecstasy (Drug)NCT00235768
The NeXT Study; The Netherlands XTC Toxicity Study
An observational study of Ecstasy (Drug) and N-Methyl-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, run by UMC Utrecht at 3 sites in Netherlands.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible neurotoxic effects of the party-drug Ecstasy (MDMA)on brain and brain function in humans. Main research questions concern the causality, course and clinical relevance of the neurotoxicity of ecstasy Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Ecstasy (Drug), N-Methyl-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, Psychopathology
- How many people
- 225 participants
- Where
- 3 sitesNetherlands
- Study dates
- Apr 2002to Jul 2005
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- between 18 - 35 years of age
Who cannot join
- severe medical or neuropsychiatric illness
- use of prescribed psychotropic medications such as SSRI's
- use of intravenous drugs
- pregnancy
- contra-indications for MRI investigation
Trial locations and contacts
3 sites in 1 country.
Netherlands3 sites
Bonger Institute of Criminology
Amsterdam, North Holland, 1000 BA
Academic Medical Center Amsterdam
Amsterdam, North Holland, 1100 DD
University Medical Center Utrecht
Utrecht, Utrecht, 3584 CX
About this study
Official title: Neurotoxicity of Ecstasy: Causality, Course and Clinical Relevance
The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible neurotoxic effects of the party-drug Ecstasy (MDMA)on brain and brain function in humans. Main research questions concern the causality, course and clinical relevance of the neurotoxicity of ecstasy
Read the detailed description
The study aims to investigate the causality, course and clinical relevance of the observed neurotoxicity in het human brain among users of the popular recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Studies in animals and non-human primates suggest that MDMA is toxic toward brain serotonin neurons at doses that overlap those used by humans. Much less is known about the effects of this drug on the human brain. Recent studies, however, suggest that MDMA might also be neurotoxic to 5-HT neurons in humans, and that it is associated with functional consequences, such as memory impairment and depression. However, these studies have been retrospective and potentially vulnerable to selection bias and confounding. Clearly, only a prospective study can ascertain that recreational XTC is neurotoxic in humans. However, given the existing data such a study is ethically not acceptable. In the present project, therefore, we have chosen a naturalistic study using a combination of prospective and retrospective approaches: a prospective study among 200 XTC naive subjects with a high-risk profile for first XTC use with a two-year follow up of 50 incident-, and 50 continuously XTC naive subjects, and a retrospective design of 25 subjects with and 25 subjects without prior exposure to XTC selected from a large representative cohort (N=1600) that was prospectively followed from the age of 12. In addition, a cross sectional design is used of 70 subjects with variation in type and amount of drugs used, besides a history of frequent XTC use. Among the 50 incident cases and the sample of 50 continuously XTC-naive subjects in the prospective cohort, indicators of neurotoxicity (SPECT,1H-MRS), markers of neuronal injury (fMRI, Perfusion MRI), and clinical assessments of memory, mood and personality prior to any XTC use will be compared with the same parameters two years later, i.e. after XTC user has taken place in the incident cases. In the retrospective cohort, subjects with lifetime XTC exposure will be compared with XTC naive subjects on the same neurotoxicity, neural injury and psychopathology parameters, controlling for potential confounders that were assessed prior to the first use of XTC. In the cross sectional cohort, all subjects will be assessed on the same neurotoxicity, neural injury and psychopathology parameters, controlling for the confounding effects of the use of other psychoactive drugs besides XTC. The combined results will result in conclusions that can be validly used in prevention messages, clinical decision making and the development op a national XTC policy.
- Keywords
- Ecstasy, MDMA, Cognition, Brain function, Neuroimaging
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Oct 2005 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2002
- Study completionJul 2005
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (7)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Ecstasy (Drug)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Defined population
- Time perspective
- Other
- Enrolment
- 225 participants
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- UMC Utrecht
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA), University of Amsterdam, Bonger Institute of Criminology, Erasmus Medical Center
- Investigators
- Wim van den Brink, MD PhD, Study director, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Dep of PsychiatryNick F Ramsey, PhD, Study director, University Medical Center Utrecht, Dep of PsychiatryDirk J Korf, PhD, Study director, University of Amsterdam, Bonger Institute for CriminologyMaartje ML de Win, MD, Principal investigator, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Dep of RadiologyGerry Jager, MSc, Principal investigator, University Medical Center Utrecht, Dep of PsychiatryHylke KE Vervaeke, MSc, Principal investigator, University of Amsterdam, Bonger Institute of Criminology
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00235768
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ZonMW 310-00-036
- Status last verified
- Oct 2004
- First submitted
- 6 Oct 2005
- Last updated
- 10 Oct 2005
- Results posted
- No
Publications
de Win MM, de Jeu RA, de Bruin K, Habraken JB, Reneman L, Booij J, den Heeten GJ. Validity of in vivo [123I]beta-CIT SPECT in detecting MDMA-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2004 May;14(3):185-9. doi: 10.1016/S0924-977X(03)00101-9.
PubMed 15056477de Win MM, Reneman L, Reitsma JB, den Heeten GJ, Booij J, van den Brink W. Mood disorders and serotonin transporter density in ecstasy users--the influence of long-term abstention, dose, and gender. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2004 May;173(3-4):376-82. doi: 10.1007/s00213-003-1723-4. Epub 2004 Jan 15.
PubMed 14726997Reneman L, Booij J, Majoie CB, Van Den Brink W, Den Heeten GJ. Investigating the potential neurotoxicity of Ecstasy (MDMA): an imaging approach. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2001 Dec;16(8):579-588. doi: 10.1002/hup.347.
PubMed 12404537Reneman L, Endert E, de Bruin K, Lavalaye J, Feenstra MG, de Wolff FA, Booij J. The acute and chronic effects of MDMA ("ecstasy") on cortical 5-HT2A receptors in rat and human brain. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2002 Mar;26(3):387-96. doi: 10.1016/S0893-133X(01)00366-9.
PubMed 11850153Reneman L, Booij J, de Bruin K, Reitsma JB, de Wolff FA, Gunning WB, den Heeten GJ, van den Brink W. Effects of dose, sex, and long-term abstention from use on toxic effects of MDMA (ecstasy) on brain serotonin neurons. Lancet. 2001 Dec 1;358(9296):1864-9. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)06888-X.
PubMed 11741626Reneman L, Majoie CB, Habraken JB, den Heeten GJ. Effects of ecstasy (MDMA) on the brain in abstinent users: initial observations with diffusion and perfusion MR imaging. Radiology. 2001 Sep;220(3):611-7. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2202001602.
PubMed 11526257De Win MM, Jager G, Vervaeke HK, Schilt T, Reneman L, Booij J, Verhulst FC, Den Heeten GJ, Ramsey NF, Korf DJ, Van den Brink W. The Netherlands XTC Toxicity (NeXT) study: objectives and methods of a study investigating causality, course, and clinical relevance. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2005;14(4):167-85. doi: 10.1002/mpr.6.
PubMed 16395871
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Oct 2005. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Neurotoxicity of Ecstasy: Causality, Course and Clinical Relevance
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00235768
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ZonMW 310-00-036
- Keywords
- Ecstasy, MDMA, Cognition, Brain function, Neuroimaging
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 225 participants
- Lead sponsor
- UMC UtrechtUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA), University of Amsterdam, Bonger Institute of Criminology, Erasmus Medical Center
- Study start
- Apr 2002
- Study completion
- Jul 2005
- First posted
- 10 Oct 2005 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible neurotoxic effects of the party-drug Ecstasy (MDMA)on brain and brain function in humans. Main research questions concern the causality, course and clinical relevance of the neurotoxicity of ecstasy
Detailed description
The study aims to investigate the causality, course and clinical relevance of the observed neurotoxicity in het human brain among users of the popular recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Studies in animals and non-human primates suggest that MDMA is toxic toward brain serotonin neurons at doses that overlap those used by humans. Much less is known about the effects of this drug on the human brain. Recent studies, however, suggest that MDMA might also be neurotoxic to 5-HT neurons in humans, and that it is associated with functional consequences, such as memory impairment and depression. However, these studies have been retrospective and potentially vulnerable to selection bias and confounding. Clearly, only a prospective study can ascertain that recreational XTC is neurotoxic in humans. However, given the existing data such a study is ethically not acceptable. In the present project, therefore, we have chosen a naturalistic study using a combination of prospective and retrospective approaches: a prospective study among 200 XTC naive subjects with a high-risk profile for first XTC use with a two-year follow up of 50 incident-, and 50 continuously XTC naive subjects, and a retrospective design of 25 subjects with and 25 subjects without prior exposure to XTC selected from a large representative cohort (N=1600) that was prospectively followed from the age of 12. In addition, a cross sectional design is used of 70 subjects with variation in type and amount of drugs used, besides a history of frequent XTC use. Among the 50 incident cases and the sample of 50 continuously XTC-naive subjects in the prospective cohort, indicators of neurotoxicity (SPECT,1H-MRS), markers of neuronal injury (fMRI, Perfusion MRI), and clinical assessments of memory, mood and personality prior to any XTC use will be compared with the same parameters two years later, i.e. after XTC user has taken place in the incident cases. In the retrospective cohort, subjects with lifetime XTC exposure will be compared with XTC naive subjects on the same neurotoxicity, neural injury and psychopathology parameters, controlling for potential confounders that were assessed prior to the first use of XTC. In the cross sectional cohort, all subjects will be assessed on the same neurotoxicity, neural injury and psychopathology parameters, controlling for the confounding effects of the use of other psychoactive drugs besides XTC. The combined results will result in conclusions that can be validly used in prevention messages, clinical decision making and the development op a national XTC policy.
Study design
- Observational model
- Defined population
- Time perspective
- Other
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- between 18 - 35 years of age
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- severe medical or neuropsychiatric illness
- use of prescribed psychotropic medications such as SSRI's
- use of intravenous drugs
- pregnancy
- contra-indications for MRI investigation
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Not reported in the source record.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Oct 2005.
- Background: PubMed 15056477de Win MM, de Jeu RA, de Bruin K, Habraken JB, Reneman L, Booij J, den Heeten GJ. Validity of in vivo [123I]beta-CIT SPECT in detecting MDMA-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2004 May;14(3):185-9. doi: 10.1016/S0924-977X(03)00101-9.
- Background: PubMed 14726997de Win MM, Reneman L, Reitsma JB, den Heeten GJ, Booij J, van den Brink W. Mood disorders and serotonin transporter density in ecstasy users--the influence of long-term abstention, dose, and gender. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2004 May;173(3-4):376-82. doi: 10.1007/s00213-003-1723-4. Epub 2004 Jan 15.
- Background: PubMed 12404537Reneman L, Booij J, Majoie CB, Van Den Brink W, Den Heeten GJ. Investigating the potential neurotoxicity of Ecstasy (MDMA): an imaging approach. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2001 Dec;16(8):579-588. doi: 10.1002/hup.347.
- Background: PubMed 11850153Reneman L, Endert E, de Bruin K, Lavalaye J, Feenstra MG, de Wolff FA, Booij J. The acute and chronic effects of MDMA ("ecstasy") on cortical 5-HT2A receptors in rat and human brain. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2002 Mar;26(3):387-96. doi: 10.1016/S0893-133X(01)00366-9.
- Background: PubMed 11741626Reneman L, Booij J, de Bruin K, Reitsma JB, de Wolff FA, Gunning WB, den Heeten GJ, van den Brink W. Effects of dose, sex, and long-term abstention from use on toxic effects of MDMA (ecstasy) on brain serotonin neurons. Lancet. 2001 Dec 1;358(9296):1864-9. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)06888-X.
- Background: PubMed 11526257Reneman L, Majoie CB, Habraken JB, den Heeten GJ. Effects of ecstasy (MDMA) on the brain in abstinent users: initial observations with diffusion and perfusion MR imaging. Radiology. 2001 Sep;220(3):611-7. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2202001602.
- Results publication: PubMed 16395871De Win MM, Jager G, Vervaeke HK, Schilt T, Reneman L, Booij J, Verhulst FC, Den Heeten GJ, Ramsey NF, Korf DJ, Van den Brink W. The Netherlands XTC Toxicity (NeXT) study: objectives and methods of a study investigating causality, course, and clinical relevance. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 2005;14(4):167-85. doi: 10.1002/mpr.6.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Wim van den Brink, MD PhD study director
University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Dep of Psychiatry
Nick F Ramsey, PhD study director
University Medical Center Utrecht, Dep of Psychiatry
Dirk J Korf, PhD study director
University of Amsterdam, Bonger Institute for Criminology
3 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Ecstasy (Drug) and N-Methyl-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, run by UMC Utrecht at 3 sites in Netherlands.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Oct 2005. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 3 sites in Netherlands. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00235768, which also lists 7 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Oct 2005.