For the study, Dutch researchers compared brain scans of people who had taken 50 or more ecstasy tablets in their lifetimes with a group that had never taken the drug. The study showed that ecstasy -- also known by the chemical moniker MDMA -- caused more damage to certain brain cells in women, even though the men had taken more ecstasy over the years.

Researchers said more studies are needed to confirm the results.

Kathryn Cunningham, professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, said it's not surprising that men and women respond differently to ecstasy. She pointed out that amphetamines leave the body more quickly in the presence of testosterone.

"Estrogen-dependent changes in the serotonin transporter might regulate the brain response, and thus toxicity, to MDMA. And it's conceivable that women may be more vulnerable to brain damage at certain times of the month," Cunningham said.

The research is published in The Lancet medical journal.

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