Role of Microglia in 3, 4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) -Induced Neurotoxicity: A Mini Review
Nor Suliana Mustafa, Mohd Nazri Mohd Daud, Nor Hidayah Abu Bakar, Liyana Hazwani Mohd Adnan, Nasir Mohamad, Norsuhaily Abu Bakar, Nelbon Giloi
ASM Science Journal November 17, 2023 DOI: 10.32802/asmscj.2023.1455 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | The authors argue that microglial activation is implicated in MDMA-induced neurotoxicity, with microglia releasing inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species after MDMA exposure in vitro and in vivo. They propose that modulating microglia from a cytotoxic toward a neuroprotective state could reduce MDMA's harmful effects on neurons. |
Abstract
MDMA (3, 4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a psychoactive drug under the amphetamine-type stimulant group. While the modulatory effects of MDMA on serotonin neurotransmission and its neurotoxicity in the central nervous system are well studied, MDMA’s effects on modulating microglial neuroimmune functions have attracted considerable attention. Resident glial cells, including microglia in the brain, are implicated in contributing to MDMA-induced neurotoxicity. In their response to the disturbances around neurons, microglia can take on the role of the first line of defence against pathogens by the production of a variety of inflammatory mediators such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). They also can act as anti-inflammatory mediators to initiate recovery from an insult. Hence, the current review illuminates MDMA-induced neurotoxicity by summarising studies reporting microglial activation after MDMA exposure in vitro and in vivo. A modulation between cytotoxic states to a neuroprotective state of microglia probably can make up an important strategy to reduce the negative impairments made by MDMA on neuronal cells by targeting microglial cells.
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
Cites 11
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of anxiety and other psychological distress related to life-threatening illnesses: a randomized pilot study Scientific Reports November 24, 2020
- The early use of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) in psychotherapy (1977–1985) Drug Science, Policy and Law 2018
- MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Severe PTSD: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study. FOCUS: The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry July 1, 2023
- Evidence that MDMA (‘ecstasy’) increases cannabinoid CB2 receptor expression in microglial cells: role in the neuroinflammatory response in rat brain Journal of Neurochemistry January 12, 2010
- Autophagy activation is involved in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('ecstasy')--induced neurotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons. PLoS One December 31, 2014
and 6 more in the library