(+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") is a recreational drug and brain serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin. Under certain conditions, MDMA can also damage brain dopamine (DA) neurons, at least in rodents. Human MDMA users have been found to have reduced brain 5-HT transporter (SERT) density and cognitive deficits, although it is not known whether these are related. This study sought...
The present study evaluated short- and long-term effects of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) in the baboon brain using PET and [11C](+)McN 5652, a potent 5-HT transporter ligand, as well as [11C]RTI-55, a cocaine derivative which labels both 5-HT and dopamine transporters. Following baseline PET scans with [11C](+)McN5652, [11C](-)McN5652 (the inactive enantiomer of the active...