Hallucinogenic Amphetamine Selectively Destroys Brain Serotonin Nerve Terminals
George A. Ricaurte, Guy K. Bryan, L. Strauss, Lewis S. Seiden, Charles R. Schuster
Science September 6, 1985 DOI: 10.1126/science.4023719 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rat brain |
| Intervention | MDA |
| Topics | Serotonin |
| Keywords | Amphetamine Hallucinogen Pharmacology |
| Citations | 367 |
| Key findings | MDA produces selective, long-lasting reductions in serotonin markers and appears to cause degeneration of serotonin nerve terminals in rat brain. |
Abstract
(±)-3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), an amphetamine analog with hallucinogenic activity, produced selective long-lasting reductions in the level of serotonin, the number of serotonin uptake sites, and the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in rat brain. Morphological studies suggested that these neurochemical deficits were due to serotonin nerve terminal degeneration. These results show that MDA has toxic activity for serotonin neurons in rats and raise the question of whether exposure to MDA and related hallucinogenic amphetamines can produce serotonin neurotoxicity in the human brain.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on serotonin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Healthy human volunteers | 1998 | Experimental study | |
| 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 | |
| 5-HT2AReceptor-Mediated Regulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor mRNA in the Hippocampus and the Neocortex Rat brain | 1997 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 140
- 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
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry June 1, 2000
- 'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA JAMA March 27, 1987
and 135 more in the library
Cites 6
- Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)–Subjective Effects Journal of Psychedelic Drugs 1974
- Methylenedioxyamphetamine. Clinical description of overdose, death, and review of pharmacology Archives of Internal Medicine October 1, 1981
- MDA-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH NEUROTIC OUTPATIENTS The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease October 1, 1976
- Methylenedioxyamphetamine Archives of Internal Medicine October 1, 1981
- The identification of LSD-like hallucinogens using the chronic spinal dog. Drug and Alcohol Dependence March 1, 1978
and 1 more in the library