Distinct neural mechanisms for the prosocial and rewarding properties of MDMA
Boris D. Heifets, Juliana S Salgado, Madison Taylor, Paul Hoerbelt, Daniel F. Cardozo Pinto, Elizabeth E. Steinberg, Jessica J. Walsh, Ji Ying Sze, Robert C. Malenka
Science Translational Medicine December 11, 2019 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaw6435 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Prosocial behavior Pharmacology |
| Citations | 119 |
| Key points | Argues that fenfluramine can produce prosocial effects similar to MDMA without addictive properties, identifying a conserved neuronal pathway for developing safer therapeutics. |
Abstract
-fenfluramine, a selective serotonin-releasing compound. By dissociating the mechanisms of MDMA's prosocial effects from its addictive properties, we provide evidence for a conserved neuronal pathway, which can be leveraged to develop novel therapeutics with limited abuse liability.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Differences Between the Mechanism of Action of MDMA, MBDB, and the Classic Hallucinogens. Identification of a New Therapeutic Class: Entactogens | 1986 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Background and Chemistry of MDMA | 1986 | Historical analysis | |
| The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents* Original documents in Merck's historical archive in Darmstadt, Germany, years 1900–1960 | 2006 | Historical analysis | |
| How could MDMA (ecstasy) help anxiety disorders? A neurobiological rationale | 2009 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The 21st century psychedelic renaissance: heroic steps forward on the back of an elephant | 2017 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 56
- Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine Journal of Neuroscience November 30, 2020
- Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews December 16, 2020
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) promotes social behavior through mTORC1 in the excitatory neurotransmission Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 25, 2021
- Efficacy and safety of psychedelics for the treatment of mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research May 1, 2024
- Therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics and entactogens. Neuropsychopharmacology July 24, 2023
and 51 more in the library
Cites 15
- The molecular mechanism of "ecstasy" [3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)]: serotonin transporters are targets for MDMA-induced serotonin release. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences March 1, 1992
- Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- Oxytocin-dependent reopening of a social reward learning critical period with MDMA Nature April 3, 2019
- Reduction in social anxiety after MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with autistic adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Psychopharmacology November 1, 2018
- Carrier‐Mediated Release of Serotonin by 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: Implications for Serotonin‐Dopamine Interactions Journal of Neurochemistry 1996
and 10 more in the library