(±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates
JAMA July 1, 1988 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1988.03410010059035 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Nonhuman primates (monkeys) |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 2.50, 3.75, and 5.00 mg/kg |
| Duration | Two weeks post-dosing |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Neurochemical Neurotoxin Dorsal raphe nucleus 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid Raphe nuclei Pharmacology Anesthesia |
| Citations | 294 |
| Key findings | MDMA produced a selective dose-related depletion of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in all examined brain regions, along with structural damage to serotonergic nerve fibers and pathological changes in the dorsal raphe nucleus. |
Abstract
(+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug that has been proposed to be useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy. This study assessed the neurotoxic potential of MDMA in nonhuman primates. Monkeys were repeatedly administered doses (2.50, 3.75, and 5.00 mg/kg) of MDMA subcutaneously and analyzed for regional brain content of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid two weeks later. In all regions of the monkey brain examined, MDMA produced a selective dose-related depletion of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. These neurochemical deficits were associated with evidence of structural damage to serotonergic nerve fibers. In addition, MDMA produced pathological changes in nerve cell bodies in the dorsal, but not median, raphe nucleus. These results indicate that MDMA is a selective serotonergic neurotoxin in nonhuman primates and that humans using this drug may be at risk for incurring central serotonergic neuronal damage.