Neuroendocrine and Mood Responses to Intravenous L-Tryptophan in 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Users
Archives of General Psychiatry 1989 DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1989.01810010022003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Recreational MDMA users and matched healthy controls |
| Intervention | Intravenous L-tryptophan |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Mood Hallucinogen 5-hydroxytryptophan Pharmacology |
| Citations | 92 |
| Key findings | MDMA users showed blunted prolactin response to L-tryptophan, suggesting altered serotonin function, but the difference from controls was not statistically significant. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") is a selective serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin in laboratory animals. To assess its effects on 5-HT function in humans, serum prolactin (PRL) and mood responses to intravenous L-tryptophan were measured in nine recreational users of MDMA and compared with findings from nine matched healthy controls. L-Tryptophan induced a rise in the PRL concentration in controls, but not in MDMA users. Peak change and the area under the curve of the PRL response appeared to be blunted in MDMA users, but the difference from controls did not reach statistical significance. This study provides suggestive evidence of altered 5-HT function in MDMA users, but more definitive studies clearly are needed.