Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) neurotoxicity: cellular and molecular mechanisms.
Johnalyn Lyles, Jean Lud Cadet
Brain research. Brain research reviews May 2003 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0173(03)00173-5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Argues that MDMA exposure can cause acute and long-term neurotoxic effects in animals and nonhuman primates, and may have toxic effects on the developing fetus, but the relevance to humans remains debated and the underlying mechanisms are not fully characterized. |
Abstract
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) is a very popular drug of abuse. This has led to new intense concerns relevant to its nefarious neuropsychiatric effects. These adverse events might be related to the neurotoxic effects of the drug. Although the mechanisms of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity remain to be fully characterized, exposure to the drug can cause acute and long-term neurotoxic effects in animals and nonhuman primates. Recent studies have also documented possible toxic effects in the developing fetus. Nevertheless, there is still much debate concerning the effects of the drug in humans and how to best extrapolate animal and nonhuman primate data to the human condition. Herein, we review the evidence documenting the adverse effects of the drug in some animal models. We also discuss possible mechanisms for the development of MDMA neurotoxicity. Data supporting deleterious effects of this drug on the developing fetus are also described. Much remains to be done in order to clarify the molecular and biochemical pathways involved in the long-term neuroplastic changes associated with MDMA abuse.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Pharmacology of MDMA | 2004 | Review | |
| Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research | 2001 | Review | |
| 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans | 1994 | Review | |
| (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals | 2000 | Review | |
| Amphetamine toxicities | 2010 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 63
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) neurotoxicity in rats: a reappraisal of past and present findings Psychopharmacology March 15, 2006
- Plasma Pharmacokinetics of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine After Controlled Oral Administration to Young Adults Therapeutic Drug Monitoring May 21, 2008
- The ugly side of amphetamines: short- and long-term toxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’), methamphetamine and d-amphetamine Biological Chemistry January 2, 2011
- Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ACS Chemical Neuroscience July 12, 2018
- 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration to rats decreases brain tissue serotonin but not serotonin transporter protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein Synapse July 14, 2004
and 58 more in the library
Cites 93
- Positron emission tomographic evidence of toxic effect of MDMA (“Ecstasy”) on brain serotonin neurons in human beings The Lancet October 1, 1998
- Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) cause selective ablation of serotonergic axon terminals in forebrain: immunocytochemical evidence for neurotoxicity Journal of Neuroscience August 1, 1988
- 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
- Neurotoxicity of the psychedelic amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1987
- 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
and 88 more in the library