MDMA and Seizures: A Dangerous Liaison?
Filippo Sean Giorgi, Gloria Lazzeri, Gianfranco Natale, Alfonso Iudice, Stefano Ruggieri, Antonio Paparelli, Luigi Murri, Francesco Fornai
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences August 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1369.035 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | small, repeated doses |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Seizure threshold Monoaminergic Hyponatremia Anesthesia Anticonvulsant Epilepsy |
| Citations | 33 |
| Key findings | Repeated small doses of MDMA in mice produce a persistent pro-convulsant effect on limbic seizures and metabolic hyperexcitability before mossy fiber sprouting occurs. |
Abstract
Abstract: In the past decades, there was a massive increase in the abuse of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the Western countries. Seizure onset after MDMA is considered to be related mainly to its acute systemic effects (e.g., hyponatremia and hyperthermia). However, additional mechanisms might concur to it as well. Experiments aimed at disclosing the basis for such an acute effect have the advantage of profiting of controlled conditions and the “pure” compounds, as opposed to the limits of clinical data which are biased by several confounding factors. Amphetamines exert profound effect on different monoaminergic systems, which might participate to lowering of seizure threshold. Chronic effects of MDMA abuse on seizure threshold have not been explored in detail so far. Recent data showed that in mice receiving small, repeated doses of MDMA, a persisting pro‐convulsant effect toward limbic seizures and metabolic hyperexcitability can be observed. In the present article, we reviewed these studies and we report our preliminary experimental data documenting the lack of mossy fiber sprouting at short time intervals following MDMA, when seizure susceptibility is already present.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Serotonin toxicity of serotonergic psychedelics Psychopharmacology July 12, 2021
- The ugly side of amphetamines: short- and long-term toxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’), methamphetamine and d-amphetamine Biological Chemistry January 2, 2011
- Caffeine provokes adverse interactions with 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) and related psychostimulants: mechanisms and mediators British Journal of Pharmacology June 1, 2012
- Deaths related to MDMA (ecstasy/molly): Prevalence, root causes, and harm reduction interventions Journal of Substance Use February 20, 2018
- Electroencephalographic and convulsive effects of binge doses of (+)-methamphetamine, 5-methoxydiisopropyltryptamine, and (±)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats. The open neuropsychopharmacology journal 2012
and 8 more in the library
Cites 12
- (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates JAMA July 1, 1988
- Carrier‐Mediated Release of Serotonin by 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: Implications for Serotonin‐Dopamine Interactions Journal of Neurochemistry 1996
- Blockade of Striatal 5‐Hydroxytryptmine2Receptors Reduces the Increase in Extracellullar Concentrations of Dopamine Produced by the Amphhetamine analogue 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Journal of Neurochemistry April 1, 1994
- Hyponatraemic states following 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') ingestion The Quarterly journal of medicine July 1, 2002
- A study of the mechanisms involved in the neurotoxic action of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) on dopamine neurones in mouse brain British Journal of Pharmacology December 1, 2001
and 7 more in the library