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11th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS and 16th NATIONAL of CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

25-28 OCTOBER 2018, GRANADA (SPAIN)
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1 Andrew Charles Parrott
Professor of School of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University
UNITED KINGDOM
1 English
Professor Parrott has undertaken research into the psychological effects of psychoactive drugs for over 40 years. His main research interests have focused on psychosocial drugs such as nicotine, cannabis, and MDMA/Ecstasy. Most recently, he has been studying Novel Psychoactive Substances such as mephedrone (m-cat) and spice cannabis. His research team and international collaborators  have investigated their effects on human neurocognition, physical health, and clinical wellbeing. One of his current research collaborations is with Professor Maria Aguilar from the Universitat de Valencia, and this symposium reflects their collaboration. Professor Parrott has published over 200 journal papers, and presented over 250 international conference papers. He is on the editorial boards of several psychopharmacology journals, and has advised government committees in many different countries. 

ABSTRACT INVITED SIMPOSIUM
Clinical aspects of MDMA/Ecstasy and other novel psychoactive substances
Many new psychoactive substances/drugs have been introduced in recent years, and they are causing a range of clinical problems to young people. The first paper will describe the problems caused by MDMA or ‘Ecstasy’, since it can damage brain functioning, neurocognition/ memory, foetal development, and mental health. The second paper will desribe the neuropharmacological basis for MDMA causing increased stress and depression, in both laboratory animals and humans. The third paper will outline the recent growth of novel drug usage throughout Europe, with substances such as mephedrone (m-cat), and spice cannabinoids causing many clinical problems. The fourth paper will describe the rise in clinical problems found in British prisons, with increased rates of depression and suicide amoungst illicit drug users. It will describe a successful intervention programme which  is helping prisoners to break the cycle of crime and drug dependency.