CV

Professor Parrott has an honours degree in Psychology, and a PhD in the field of Clinical Psychology. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a Chartered Psychologist. He has around 190 refereed journal papers, and over 250 conference papers. He is first author of a leading European textbook in the field of human psychopharmacology, entitled: ‘Understanding Drugs and Behaviour’. He has organised a number of previous conferences and symposia. Several of these have been in the related areas of human psychobiology, and the clinical psychology of psychoactive drugs.

INVITED SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT

The methamphetamine derivative MDMA or ecstasy was first used a recreational drug in the 1980s, and since then its usage has spread worldwide. It has been followed by a number of other psychoactive substances, including mephedrone and other illicit stimulants. MDMA is a serotonergic neurotoxin in laboratory animals, and neuroimaging studies have found reduced serotonergic markers in Ecstasy users. Serotonin modulates a wide range of psychobiological functions, and there is accumulating evidence for various functional deficits in drug-free recreational Ecstasy users. Mephedrone or ‘m-cat’ was first used as a recreational drug ten years ago, and its usage can also lead to similar psychological problems. Clinical problems such as stress, depression, and dependency, have been found with both drugs, particularly in the more vulnerable individuals. Dr. Andres Roman-Urrestarazu and Dr Ornella Corazza will present the first paper, in which they will describe the wide range of psychoactive drugs now being used in Europe and worldwide. They include novels stimulants such as mephedrone, and artificial ‘spice’ cannabinoids - which are more powerful and clinically more damaging that plant-derived cannabis. Dr Maria Aguila will focus on the neurobiological profile of MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’. This drug affects several key neurotransmitter systems, and its regular usage can lead to loss of functional serotonin. Its diverse neurobiological effects may help explain why its use can lead to so many diverse psychobiological and clinical sequelae. Clinical psychologist Lewis Jones will then present a recent study where recreational users of MDMA (ecstasy), were compared with similar users of mephedrone (m-cat). Both groups reported positive acute drug effects, but these were soon followed by negative recovery effects. The adverse recovery effects were found to be longer-lasting in the mephedrone users. Prof Philip Murphy will overview the neurocognitive and psychological effects of recreational Ecstasy/MDMA and other stimulant drugs. He will also cover a series of neuroimaging studies which have revealed subtle impairments in brain functioning. Prof Andrew Parrott will finish the symposium with an overview of the clinical effects of Ecstasy/MDMA, mephedrone, and established stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine. These drugs can lead to a range of adverse clinical outcomes, including depression, anxiety, paranoia, and eating disorders. Furthermore these clinical deficits are more likely in individuals with some pre-existing vulnerability factors. The symposium will finish with an open discussion and debate.