Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'Ecstasy') is a ring-substituted amphetamine and a popular drug of abuse. In addition to ability to induce euphoria, MDMA abuse is associated with a range of acute and long-term hazardous effects. This paper is focused on once such adverse effect: its ability to negatively impact on functioning of the immune system. Research demonstrates that MDMA has...
Summary Drug abuse is a global problem of considerable concern to health. One such health concern stems from the fact that many drugs of abuse have immunosuppressive actions and consequently have the potential to increase susceptibility to infectious disease. This article is focused on the impact of the amphetamine derivative, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ‘Ecstasy’) on immunity....
The effect of prior exposure to methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) on behavioural and neurochemical responses to fluoxetine were assessed in a rat model of antidepressant action. MDA (7.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to rats twice daily for 4 consecutive days, and 4 weeks later the behavioural effect of fluoxetine (5 or 20 mg/kg; i.p. x 3) was examined in the modified rat forced-swimming test. In...
The substituted amphetamine 3,4 methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) is a popular recreational drug of abuse. Administration of MDA to experimental animals has been shown to induce damage to serotonergic axons and nerve terminals. However, there is a lack of information on whether these treatments can produce any long-term changes in behavioural performance particularly under stressful conditions....