The intriguing effects of ecstasy (MDMA) on cognitive function in mice subjected to a minimal traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
Shahaf Edut, Vardit Rubovitch, Shaul Schreiber, Chaim G Pick
Psychopharmacology April 1, 2011 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-2098-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Controlled experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 10 mg/kg |
| Duration | 7 and 30 days post-injury |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Citations | 36 |
| Key findings | MDMA administered before mild traumatic brain injury in mice reversed injury-induced decreases in tyrosine hydroxylase and improved cognitive performance. |
Abstract
The use of ecstasy (MDMA) among young adults has dramatically increased over the years. Since MDMA may impair the users' driving ability, the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) is notably increased. Minimal traumatic brain injury (mTBI) a common consequence of MVAs-produces short- and long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments. To investigate the effects of an acute dose of MDMA in mice subjected to closed head mTBI. Mice received 10 mg/kg MDMA 1 h prior to the induction of mTBI. Behavioral tests were conducted 7 and 30 days post-injury. In addition to the behavioral tests, phosphorylation of IGF-1R, ERK, and levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were measured. mTBI mice showed major cognitive impairments in all cognitive tests conducted. No additional impairments were seen if mTBI was preceded by one dose of MDMA. On the contrary, a beneficial effect was seen in these mice. The western blot analysis of TH revealed a significant decrease in the mTBI mice. These decreases were reversed in mice that were subjected to MDMA prior to the trauma. The presence of MDMA at the time of mTBI minimizes the alteration of visual and spatial memory of the injured mice. The IGF-1R pathway was activated due to mTBI and MDMA but was not the main contributor to the cognitive improvements. MDMA administration inverted the TH decreases seen after injury. We believe this may be the major cause of the cognitive improvements seen in these mice.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms? Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry June 8, 2018
- A study on the mechanism by which MDMA protects against dopaminergic dysfunction after minimal traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in mice. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience December 1, 2014
- Psilocybin and MDMA in Couples Therapy: Investigating Treatment for Substance Use Disorders and Codependency Contemporary Family Therapy December 11, 2025
- A Systematic Review of the MDMA Model to Address Social Impairment in Autism. Current Neuropharmacology 2021
- Of mice and men on MDMA: a translational comparison of the neuropsychobiological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy'). Brain Research November 14, 2019
and 2 more in the library
Cites 11
- 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
- Brain hyperthermia induced by MDMA (‘ecstasy’): modulation by environmental conditions European Journal of Neuroscience July 1, 2004
- Repeated MDMA (“Ecstasy”) exposure in adolescent male rats alters temperature regulation, spontaneous motor activity, attention, and serotonin transporter binding Developmental Psychobiology 2005
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) and Driving Impairment Journal of Forensic Sciences November 1, 2001
- Early loss of dopaminergic terminals in striosomes after MDMA administration to mice Synapse October 25, 2007
and 6 more in the library