The abused drug MDMA (Ecstasy) induces programmed death of human serotonergic cells
The FASEB Journal February 1, 1997 DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.11.2.9039956 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Human serotonergic JAR cells and nonserotonergic NMB cells |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Amphetamine Pharmacology Apoptosis Programmed cell death Hallucinogen Drug Dopamine |
| Citations | 89 |
| Key findings | MDMA induces apoptosis specifically in human serotonergic cells through mechanisms involving nitric oxide and dopamine, while sparing nonserotonergic cells. |
Abstract
The widely abused amphetamine analog 3,4‐methylenecdioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, also called “ecstasy”) induces hallucination and psychostimulation, as well as long‐term neuropsychiatric behaviors such as panic and psychosis. In rodents and monkeys, MDMA is cytotoxic to serotonergic neurons, but this is less clear with humans. Herein, MDMA was cytotoxic to human serotonergic JAR cells; it altered the cell cycle, increased G2/ M phase arrest, and induced DNA fragmentation in a cycloheximide‐sensitive way. This apoptosis was not observed in nonserotonergic human NMB cells. The stereospecific effect of amphetamines in JAR cells, and the key role of NO and dopamine in MDMA‐induced apoptosis were determined. The relevancy of MDMA‐induced cell death to drug users is discussed.—Simantov, R., Tauber, M. The abused drug MDMA (Ecstasy) induces programmed death of human serotonergic cells. FASEB J. 11, 141‐146(1997)
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin | 2000 | Experimental study | |
| Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) cause selective ablation of serotonergic axon terminals in forebrain: immunocytochemical evidence for neurotoxicity Rat brain | 1988 | Experimental study | |
| The molecular mechanism of "ecstasy" [3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)]: serotonin transporters are targets for MDMA-induced serotonin release. Human platelet plasma membrane vesicles and bovine adrenal chromaffin granule membrane... | 1992 | Laboratory study | |
| Oxytocin-dependent reopening of a social reward learning critical period with MDMA | 2019 | Experimental study | |
| Effects of certain hallucinogenic amphetamine analogs on the release of [3H]-serotonin from rat brain synaptosomes Rat whole brain synaptosomes | 1982 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 31
- Is MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) Neurotoxic in Humans? An Overview of Evidence and of Methodological Problems in Research Neuropsychobiology 2000
- Agony and ecstasy: a review of MDMA effects and toxicity European Psychiatry August 1, 2000
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) and Driving Impairment Journal of Forensic Sciences November 1, 2001
- Neurotoxic effects of MDMA (“ecstasy”) administration to neonatal rats International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience June 5, 2004
- Analysis of Ecstasy (MDMA)‐induced transcriptional responses in the rat cortex The FASEB Journal December 1, 2002
and 26 more in the library
Cites 24
- Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) cause selective ablation of serotonergic axon terminals in forebrain: immunocytochemical evidence for neurotoxicity Journal of Neuroscience August 1, 1988
- 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
- Hallucinogenic Amphetamine Selectively Destroys Brain Serotonin Nerve Terminals Science September 6, 1985
- 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans Addiction May 1, 1994
- 5-HT2 receptors exert a state-dependent regulation of dopaminergic function: studies with MDL 100,907 and the amphetamine analogue, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine European Journal of Pharmacology November 1, 1992
and 19 more in the library