The ugly side of amphetamines: short- and long-term toxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’), methamphetamine and d-amphetamine
Thomas Steinkellner, Michael Freissmuth, Harald H. Sitte, Therese Montgomery
Biological Chemistry January 2, 2011 DOI: 10.1515/bc.2011.016 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Methamphetamine Stimulant Pharmacology Neurotoxicity Hallucinogen Drug Dextroamphetamine |
| Citations | 112 |
| Key findings | The physiological consequences of chronic MDMA neurotoxicity in humans remain unclear, and differences in metabolism between species prevent realistic human dose paradigms in animal studies. |
Abstract
Abstract Amphetamine (‘Speed’), methamphetamine (‘Ice’) and its congener 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ‘Ecstasy’) are illicit drugs abused worldwide for their euphoric and stimulant effects. Despite compelling evidence for chronic MDMA neurotoxicity in animal models, the physiological consequences of such toxicity in humans remain unclear. In addition, distinct differences in the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of MDMA between species and different strains of animals prevent the rationalisation of realistic human dose paradigms in animal studies. Here, we attempt to review amphetamine toxicity and in particular MDMA toxicity in the pathogenesis of exemplary human pathologies, independently of confounding environmental factors such as poly-drug use and drug purity.