Mechanisms involved in the sex-dependent dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by MDMA in a mouse model of adolescent drug exposure
Frontiers in Pharmacology November 6, 2026 Giulia Costa, Laura Rullo, Vera Piera Leoni et al.
Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or “ecstasy”) is an amphetamine-related drug mainly used by adolescents. Studies in mice have demonstrated that MDMA administration induces toxic effects in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system, some of which may be sex- and age-dependent. Since adolescence is a critical period for brain development, this study aimed to investigate some of...