Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised crossover study (n=60) testing single-dose MDMA (75 mg) and metyrapone (750 mg) versus placebo in ecstasy users to assess memory performance and cortisol responses.
This within-subject crossover trial enrols 60 experienced or novice ecstasy users (30 novice, 30 heavy) to examine the role of cortisol in MDMA-induced memory impairment under four treatment conditions.
Participants receive metyrapone or placebo as pre‑treatment followed one hour later by MDMA 75 mg or placebo; cognitive testing occurs ~90 minutes after MDMA, with saliva sampling for cortisol. Primary outcomes are cognitive and neuroendocrine measurements.
Within-subject, double-blind crossover with four treatment days (Placebo+Placebo; Placebo+MDMA; Metyrapone+Placebo; Metyrapone+MDMA).
MDMA 75 mg given at 10:30 on each test day (≈90 minutes before cognitive testing).
Metyrapone 750 mg pre-treatment given ~60 minutes before MDMA/placebo.
Placebo matching MDMA or metyrapone as per condition.