Ecstasy Intoxication: An Overlap Between Serotonin Syndrome and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Meltem Demirkıran, Joseph Jankovic, Joel M. Dean
Clinical Neuropharmacology April 1, 1996 DOI: 10.1097/00002826-199619020-00004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report and literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 16 |
| Population | A 19-year-old woman and 15 other cases reported in the literature |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Citations | 94 |
| Key findings | A 19-year-old woman developed overlapping neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome after a single MDMA exposure. A review of 15 other published cases indicates that MDMA use can cause serious neurotoxicity, including fatal outcomes, according to the authors. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also known as "ecstasy" is a popular recreational drug with potential for abuse. Although its neurotoxic effects have been established in animal studies, the acute and long-term effects of this serotonergic agent in humans are still unknown. We describe a 19-year-old woman with overlapping symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome after a single exposure to MDMA. We also review 15 other cases reported in the literature to draw attention to the serious neurotoxicity, including fatal outcomes, caused by the use of this increasingly popular, illicit drug.