Neuroendocrine and subjective responses to pharmacological challenge with citalopram: a controlled study in male and female ecstasy/MDMA users.

K Allott; B K Canny; J H Broadbear; N K Stepto; B Murphy; J Redman

doi:10.1177/0269881108092336

Neuroendocrine and subjective responses to pharmacological challenge with citalopram: a controlled study in male and female ecstasy/MDMA users.

K Allott, B K Canny, J H Broadbear, N K Stepto, B Murphy, J Redman

Journal of Psychopharmacology September 2009 DOI: 10.1177/0269881108092336 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract

Characteristics	Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed
Sample size	46
Population	Recreational ecstasy polydrug users, cannabis polydrug users, and non-drug using controls
Intervention	Citalopram
Measures	Prolactin, cortisol
Topics	MDMA
Key findings	No significant differences in neuroendocrine or subjective responses to serotonergic challenge were found between ecstasy polydrug users, cannabis polydrug users, and non-drug controls. Extent of ecstasy use did not correlate with neuroendocrine functioning. The data do not support the premise that recreational ecstasy use impairs serotonergic control of endocrine activity.

Abstract

Despite evidence that +/-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'ecstasy') causes persistent alterations to the serotonergic system of animals, evidence for long-term neurological effects of ecstasy/MDMA in humans remains equivocal. The current study assessed serotonin functioning of nine male and 11 female recreational ecstasy polydrug users by measuring neuroendocrine (prolactin, cortisol) responses to pharmacological challenge with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram, compared with nine male and five female cannabis polydrug users and 11 male and 11 female non-drug using controls. A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled design was used. Subjective responses, other substance use, mood, personality traits and demographic variables were measured to control for potentially confounding variables. There were no significant differences between ecstasy polydrug users, cannabis polydrug users and non-drug using controls in neuroendocrine or subjective responses to serotonergic challenge, and there were no sex by drug group interactions. There was no relationship between extent of ecstasy use and neuroendocrine functioning, alone or in combination with potential confounding variables. Subjective responses to the pharmacological challenge (nausea, tremor, dry mouth), novelty seeking and lifetime dose of alcohol were the only variables that contributed to one or more of the neuroendocrine outcome variables. These data do not support the premise that recreational ecstasy/MDMA use results in measurable impairment of serotonergic control of endocrine activity.

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The safety and efficacy of {+/-}3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Patients with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder refractory to both psychotherapy...	2010	Randomized controlled trial	n = 20
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. Military veterans and first responders aged 18 or older with chronic PTSD lasting 6...	2018	Randomized, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial	n = 26
A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Patients with treatment-resistant PTSD	2012	Randomized controlled trial	n = 12
MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Adults with moderate to severe post-traumatic stress disorder	2023	Randomized controlled trial	n = 104

Citations in the library

Cited by 1

Equivalent effects of acute tryptophan depletion on REM sleep in ecstasy users and controls. Psychopharmacology July 8, 2009

Cites 24

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