Abstract
“Ecstasy” (MDMA) is a powerful hallucinogenic drug which has raised concern worldwide because of its high abuse liability. A plethora of studies have demonstrated that MDMA has the potential to induce neurotoxicity both in human and laboratory animals. Although research on MDMA has been carried out by many different laboratories, the mechanism underlying MDMA induced toxicity has not been fully elucidated. MDMA has the ability to reduce serotonin levels in terminals of axons in the cortex of rats and mice. Recently we have shown that it also has the potential to produce degenerate neurons in discrete areas of the brain such as insular and parietal cortex, thalamus, tenia tecta and bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST). Acute effects of MDMA can result in a constellation of changes including arrthymias, hypertension, hyperthermia, serotonin (5-HT) syndrome, liver problems, seizures and also long lasting neurocognitive impairments including mood disturbances. In human MDMA abusers, there is evidence for reduction of serotonergic biochemical markers. Several factors may contribute to the MDMA-induced neurotoxicity, especially hyperthermia. Other factors potentially influencing MDMA toxicity include monoamine oxidase metabolism of dopamine and serotonin, nitric oxide generation, glutamate excitotoxicity, serotonin 2A receptor agonism and the formation of MDMA neurotoxic metabolites. In this review we will cover the following topics: pharmacological mechanisms, metabolic pathways and acute effects in laboratory animals, as well as in humans, with special attention on the mechanism and pathology of MDMA induced neurotoxicity.
Keywords: MDMA, neurodegeneration, hyperthermia, neurotoxicity, serotonin, Fluoro-Jade B
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Title: Neurotoxicity of Ecstasy (MDMA): An Overview
Volume: 11 Issue: 5
Author(s): Sumit Sarkar and Larry Schmued
Affiliation:
Keywords: MDMA, neurodegeneration, hyperthermia, neurotoxicity, serotonin, Fluoro-Jade B
Abstract: “Ecstasy” (MDMA) is a powerful hallucinogenic drug which has raised concern worldwide because of its high abuse liability. A plethora of studies have demonstrated that MDMA has the potential to induce neurotoxicity both in human and laboratory animals. Although research on MDMA has been carried out by many different laboratories, the mechanism underlying MDMA induced toxicity has not been fully elucidated. MDMA has the ability to reduce serotonin levels in terminals of axons in the cortex of rats and mice. Recently we have shown that it also has the potential to produce degenerate neurons in discrete areas of the brain such as insular and parietal cortex, thalamus, tenia tecta and bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST). Acute effects of MDMA can result in a constellation of changes including arrthymias, hypertension, hyperthermia, serotonin (5-HT) syndrome, liver problems, seizures and also long lasting neurocognitive impairments including mood disturbances. In human MDMA abusers, there is evidence for reduction of serotonergic biochemical markers. Several factors may contribute to the MDMA-induced neurotoxicity, especially hyperthermia. Other factors potentially influencing MDMA toxicity include monoamine oxidase metabolism of dopamine and serotonin, nitric oxide generation, glutamate excitotoxicity, serotonin 2A receptor agonism and the formation of MDMA neurotoxic metabolites. In this review we will cover the following topics: pharmacological mechanisms, metabolic pathways and acute effects in laboratory animals, as well as in humans, with special attention on the mechanism and pathology of MDMA induced neurotoxicity.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Sarkar Sumit and Schmued Larry, Neurotoxicity of Ecstasy (MDMA): An Overview, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2010; 11 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920110791591490
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920110791591490 |
Print ISSN 1389-2010 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4316 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes and explores biological data. This field combines biology and information system. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has attracted great attention as it tries to replicate human intelligence. It has become common technology for analyzing and solving complex data and problems and encompasses sub-fields of machine ...read more
Latest Advancements in Biotherapeutics
The scope of this thematic issue is to comprehensively explore the rapidly evolving landscape of biotherapeutics, emphasizing breakthroughs in precision medicine. Encompassing diverse therapeutic modalities, the issue will delve into the latest developments in monoclonal antibodies, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, CAR-T cell therapies, and innovative drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticle-based ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Metronomic Therapy for Multi Relapsed/Refractory Lymphoma. A Pilot Study
Current Angiogenesis (Discontinued) Testosterone as Potential Effective Therapy in Treatment of Obesity in Men with Testosterone Deficiency: A Review
Current Diabetes Reviews The Clinical Problems of Hypertension Treatment in Hemodialysis Patients
Current Vascular Pharmacology First Comprehensive Analysis of Outcomes in Adult Patients after Percutaneous Closure of Isolated Secundum Atrial Septal Defects
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Iptakalim Hydrochloride and Neuronal Protection
Current Neuropharmacology Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products (RAGE): A Novel Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Vascular Complication
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cerebral Vascular Aging: Extending the Concept of Pulse Wave Encephalopathy Through Capillaries to the Cerebral Veins
Current Aging Science Understanding the Potential Role and Delivery Approaches of Nitric Oxide in Chronic Wound Healing Management
Current Pharmaceutical Design Preface [Hot Topic: Antihypertensive Drugs (Executive Editor : Gregory Y.H. Lip)].
Current Pharmaceutical Design Bone Morphogenetic Protein-Smad Pathway as Drug Targets for Osteoporosis and Cancer Therapy
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Role of Genetic Polymorphism in the Formation of Arterial Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes and their Comorbidity
Current Pharmaceutical Design Blockade of Renin Angiotensin System in Heart Failure Post-Myocardial Infarction: What is the Best Therapy?
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Formulation, Characterization and In Vivo Evaluation of Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System for Oral Delivery of Valsartan
Current Nanoscience Editorial [Hot Topic:Platelets in Inflammation and Inflammatory Disorders Guest Editor: Armen Yuri Gasparyan ]
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Genetic Variation of de novo Lipogenesis Pathway and Individual Sus-ceptibility to Obesity
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Anti-Diabetic Compounds and their Patent Information: An Update
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Modulatory Role of Nitric Oxide/cGMP System in Endothelin-1-Induced Signaling Responses in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Current Cardiology Reviews Preclinical Development of New Therapy for Glycogen Storage Diseases
Current Gene Therapy Inhibitors of Nitric Oxide Synthase: What's up and What's Next?
Current Enzyme Inhibition Synthesis of New 1, 4-Dihydropyridines by Addition-Rearrangement Process with Imine Derivatives and β-Ketoester as Starting Materials in Solvent-Free Conditions (SUPPORTING INFORMATION)
Letters in Organic Chemistry