MDMA (Ecstasy) reduces the binding of two different radioligands to dopamine D2-like receptors in the striatum of living pigs, as measured by PET. The binding potential of [11C]raclopride fell by 35% at 45 minutes and 22% at 165 minutes after MDMA infusion, similar to changes caused by d-amphetamine. Unexpectedly, the binding of [11C]NMSP also decreased, by 30% in the first scan and 50% in the second, unlike its typical insensitivity to dopamine release. The simultaneous release of dopamine and serotonin by MDMA may explain the progressive decline in NMSP binding.
A pilot randomized-controlled trial tested whether Kundalini yoga could protect the aging brain. Eleven healthy older adults who had never meditated were randomly assigned to either a Kundalini yoga program or a psychoeducation comparison. Brain scans taken before and after 12 weeks showed a significant increase in right hippocampal gray matter volume only in the yoga group. The finding suggests that Kundalini yoga may have neuroprotective effects for older adults, though the small sample limits generalizability.