Neurotoxic effects of the alpha-ethyl homologue of MDMA following subacute administration.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior May 1, 1989 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(89)90437-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Animal experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Interventions | MDMA MBDB |
| Dose | 20 mg/kg (MDMA), 25 mg/kg (MBDB) |
| Duration | 4-day dosing, 2-week posttreatment assessment |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Citations | 26 |
| Key findings | MBDB is slightly less neurotoxic than MDMA and does not increase dopamine levels, suggesting dopamine release is important for MDMA's neurotoxic effects. |
Abstract
The possible neurotoxic effects of the alpha-ethyl homologue of MDMA, N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB), were examined following a regimen of twice daily dosing for four days. The levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and its metabolite 5-HIAA were quantitated by standard HPLC-EC techniques. In addition, the number of 5-HT uptake sites was estimated by examining the binding of [3H]-paroxetine to rat cortex homogenate. With 20 mg/kg (IP) subacute dosing of MDMA, a nearly 60% reduction in 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT uptake sites was found, with no change in NE, two weeks posttreatment. A behaviorally equipotent dose of MBDB (25 mg/kg, IP) also produced a significant decrease in the serotonergic markers; 5-HT, 5-HIAA and [3H]-paroxetine binding sites. However, a comparison of the relative toxic effects of MDMA and MBDB indicates that MBDB may be slightly less neurotoxic. It was also found that MDMA but not MBDB caused a significant increase in dopamine levels at 3 hours following a single IP injection. The results are discussed in relation to the therapeutic index of MBDB and the relative importance of dopamine release in the neurotoxicity of MDMA.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- Amphetamine derivatives induce locomotor hyperactivity by acting as indirect serotonin agonists. Psychopharmacology 1991
- Beyond ecstasy: Alternative entactogens to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with potential applications in psychotherapy Journal of Psychopharmacology September 10, 2020
- Enantioselectivity in the Methylation of the Catecholic Phase I Metabolites of Methylenedioxy Designer Drugs and Their Capability To Inhibit Catechol-O-methyltransferase-Catalyzed Dopamine 3-Methylation Chemical Research in Toxicology May 22, 2009
- N-methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine (MBDB): its properties and possible risks. Addiction Biology July 1, 2000
- Investigations on the human hepatic cytochrome P450 isozymes involved in the metabolism of 3,4-methylenedioxy-amphetamine (MDA) and benzodioxolyl-butanamine (BDB) enantiomers. Toxicology Letters October 8, 2009
and 6 more in the library
Cites 10
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine destroy serotonin terminals in rat brain: quantification of neurodegeneration by measurement of [3H]paroxetine-labeled serotonin uptake sites. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics September 1, 1987
- Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- Hallucinogenic Amphetamine Selectively Destroys Brain Serotonin Nerve Terminals Science September 6, 1985
- Derivatives of 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butanamine: representatives of a novel therapeutic class Journal of Medicinal Chemistry October 1, 1986
- Stereochemical effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and related amphetamine derivatives on inhibition of uptake of [3H]monoamines into synaptosomes from different regions of rat brain. Biochemical Pharmacology July 15, 1987
and 5 more in the library