Neural Regeneration Research
February 22, 2024
Marcello Serra, Nicola Simola, Alexia E Pollack et al.
19 citations
Recreational and therapeutic use of psychostimulants such as amphetamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, methylphenidate, caffeine, and nicotine can cause brain dysfunction and neurotoxic effects. This review of research from 2018 to 2023 examines evidence from both experimental models and humans, highlighting that central toxicity from these substances poses serious health risks, especially as their use rises among young people and adults. Understanding the factors and mechanisms behind these noxious brain effects is crucial for grasping the acute and lasting harm that may occur in users.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
May 1, 2023
Giulia Costa, Marcello Serra, Riccardo Maccioni et al.
13 citations
A standardized extract of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), when given acutely alongside MDMA (ecstasy), protects mice from the drug's harmful effects on the brain, body temperature, and memory. MDMA alone caused degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons, inflammation (gliosis), a rise in body temperature, and impaired performance on a novel object recognition task. These effects were not prevented by pretreating mice with the extract for three days before MDMA. However, when the extract was given together with MDMA, it counteracted the loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, reduced gliosis in the striatum, normalized body temperature, and restored memory performance to levels similar to those of saline-treated controls.
Biomed Pharmacother
March 19, 2026
Giulia Costa, Marcello Serra, Riccardo Maccioni et al.
correction
This is a corrigendum (correction notice) for a previously published research article. It does not provide new findings or data. The original study investigated how Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) affected MDMA-induced hyperthermia, cognitive impairment, neurotoxicity, and neuroinflammation in mice.
Neuropharmacology
January 1, 2019
Giulia Costa, Marcello Serra, Nicholas Pintori et al.
Repeated administration of the novel psychoactive substance methoxetamine (MXE) to rats produced persistent behavioral abnormalities and neurotoxicity. Seven days after the last of five every-other-day doses (0.1–0.5 mg/kg), rats showed increased anxiety in the elevated plus maze and marble burying tests, and impaired non-spatial memory in the novel object recognition test. No effects on calling behavior or locomotor activity were observed. The same rats displayed dopaminergic damage in the medial prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, caudate-putamen, substantia nigra pars compacta, and ventral tegmental area, along with serotonergic damage in the nucleus accumbens. These findings demonstrate for the first time that repeated MXE induces lasting behavioral changes and brain damage in rats, helping to elucidate risks for human consumers.