α1-Adrenergic Receptors Contribute to the Acute Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in Humans
Cédric M. Hysek, Anja E. Fink, Linda D. Simmler, Massimiliano Donzelli, Eric Grouzmann, Matthias E. Liechti
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology July 13, 2013 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0b013e3182979d32 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-session crossover study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | Healthy subjects |
| Interventions | Doxazosin MDMA Placebo |
| Dose | 8 mg/d doxazosin, 125 mg MDMA |
| Duration | 3 days of doxazosin or placebo before each MDMA or placebo session |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Doxazosin Placebo Pharmacology Adrenergic Crossover study Receptor antagonist Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics Blood pressure |
| Citations | 57 |
| Key points | Doxazosin reduced MDMA-induced elevations in blood pressure and body temperature and moderately attenuated positive mood but enhanced tachycardia. |
Abstract
Preclinical studies implicate a role for α₁-noradrenergic receptors in the effects of psychostimulants, including 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy"). The present study evaluated the effects of the α₁-noradrenergic receptor antagonist doxazosin on the acute pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic response to MDMA in 16 healthy subjects. Doxazosin (8 mg/d) or placebo was administered for 3 days before MDMA (125 mg) or placebo using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-session, crossover design. Doxazosin reduced MDMA-induced elevations in blood pressure, body temperature, and moderately attenuated positive mood but enhanced tachycardia associated with MDMA. The results indicate that α₁-adrenergic receptors contribute to the acute cardiostimulant and to a minor extent possibly also to the thermogenic and euphoric effects of MDMA in humans.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 41
- Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews December 16, 2020
- The Effects of Acutely Administered 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on Spontaneous Brain Function in Healthy Volunteers Measured with Arterial Spin Labeling and Blood Oxygen Level–Dependent Resting State Functional Connectivity Biological Psychiatry January 10, 2014
- The Prosocial Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): Controlled Studies in Humans and Laboratory Animals Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 25, 2015
- Safety pharmacology of acute MDMA administration in healthy subjects Journal of Psychopharmacology February 21, 2017
- A Review of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Assisted Psychotherapy Frontiers in Psychiatry March 20, 2019
and 36 more in the library
Cites 22
- Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin Synapse 2000
- Psychometric Evaluation of the Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV) PLoS One August 31, 2010
- The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Pharmacopsychiatry July 1, 1998
- 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
- Gender differences in the subjective effects of MDMA Psychopharmacology March 5, 2001
and 17 more in the library