Enantio-selective cognitive and brain activation effects of N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine in humans.
M Spitzer, B Franke, H Walter, Jochen Buechler, A P Wunderlich, M Schwab, K A Kovar, L Hermle, Georg Grön
Neuropharmacology August 2001 DOI: 10.1016/s0028-3908(01)00060-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized double-blind trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 5 |
| Population | Normal human subjects |
| Key findings | The enantiomers of MDE produced distinct subjective, cognitive, and brain activation effects: (S)-MDE elevated mood and activated right frontal areas, while (R)-MDE increased depression and activated visual and left frontal areas, suggesting the entactogenic effects are likely due to (S)-MDE and neurotoxic effects to (R)-MDE. |
Abstract
In a randomised double-blind trial the subjective, neuropsychological and brain activation effects of the two enantiomers of the MDMA (ecstasy-) like drug N-ethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDE) were studied in five normal subjects using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). (S)-MDE produced elevated mood, impairments in conceptually driven cognition and marked right frontal activation. In contrast, (R)-MDE produced increased depression, enhanced visual feature processing, and activation of visual cortical and left frontal areas. Plasma concentrations were higher for the (R)-enantiomer. The so-called entactogenic effects of MDE are likely to be caused by the (S)-enantiomer, whereas (R)-MDE appears to be responsible for neurotoxic effects.
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- Models of psychedelic drug action: modulation of cortical-subcortical circuits Brain October 22, 2021
- Beyond ecstasy: Alternative entactogens to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with potential applications in psychotherapy Journal of Psychopharmacology September 10, 2020
- The Neuropsychopharmacology and Toxicology of 3,4‐methylenedioxy‐N‐ethyl‐amphetamine (MDEA) CNS Drug Reviews June 1, 2004
- The costs and benefits of psychedelics on cognition and mood Neuron January 20, 2023
- 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
and 14 more in the library
Cites 13
- Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings The Lancet October 1, 1998
- The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Pharmacopsychiatry July 1, 1998
- Differences Between the Mechanism of Action of MDMA, MBDB, and the Classic Hallucinogens. Identification of a New Therapeutic Class: Entactogens Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 1, 1986
- Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry June 1, 2000
- (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals Neuropsychobiology 2000
and 8 more in the library