MDMA and the Brain: A Short Review on the Role of Neurotransmitters in Neurotoxicity.
Nor Suliana Mustafa, Nor Hidayah Abu Bakar, Nasir Mohamad, Liyana Hazwani Mohd Adnan, Nurul Farah Aina Md Fauzi, Abdulsoma Thoarlim, Syed Hadzrullathfi Syed Omar, Mohd Shafiee Hamzah, Zawawi Yusoff, Mahdi Jufri, Rashidi Ahmad
Basic and clinical neuroscience 2020 DOI: 10.32598/bcn.9.10.485 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Brain injuries Memory Neurotransmitter Therapy |
| Key findings | The review contends that MDMA neurotoxicity arises from abnormal regulation of brain neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine and serotonin, combined with increased oxidative stress that damages neurons. It argues that treatment research is scarce and should focus on targeting these neurotransmitter mechanisms. |
Abstract
N-Methyl-3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA), or ecstasy is a recreational drug of abuse. It is a synthetic substance that affects the body's systems, which its mechanism of action and treatment should be more investigated. MDMA provides an immediate enjoyable feeling by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Unfortunately, abnormal regulation of the brain neurotransmitters, as well as the increased oxidative stress causes damage to the brain neurons after the MDMA exposure. Only a few studies have been done regarding its treatment. Thus, the treatment of MDMA complications should be further explored mainly by targeting its mechanism of action in the neurotransmitter systems. Hence, this study presents a short review regarding the recent findings on the role of neurotransmitters to cause MDMA neurotoxicity. The results will be useful for future research in elucidating the potential treatment based on the targeted mechanisms to treat the neurotoxic effects of MDMA.
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 12
- Reconsidering evidence for psychedelic-induced psychosis: an overview of reviews, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of human studies. Molecular Psychiatry March 1, 2025
- A proposed mechanism for the MDMA-mediated extinction of traumatic memories in PTSD patients treated with MDMA-assisted therapy Frontiers in Psychiatry October 12, 2022
- Current Perspectives on the Clinical Research and Medicalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Addiction Treatments: Safety, Efficacy, Limitations and Challenges. CNS Drugs October 1, 2024
- White matter alterations in chronic MDMA use: Evidence from diffusion tensor imaging and neurofilament light chain blood levels NeuroImage: Clinical September 19, 2022
- The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesis. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology June 2, 2025
and 7 more in the library
Cites 20
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) neurotoxicity in rats: a reappraisal of past and present findings Psychopharmacology March 15, 2006
- MDMA Increases Glutamate Release and Reduces Parvalbumin-Positive GABAergic Cells in the Dorsal Hippocampus of the Rat: Role of Cyclooxygenase Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology November 17, 2012
- Autophagy activation is involved in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('ecstasy')--induced neurotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons. PLoS One December 31, 2014
- Discrete memory impairments in largely pure chronic users of MDMA. European Neuropsychopharmacology October 1, 2017
- MDMA, cortisol, and heightened stress in recreational ecstasy users Behavioural Pharmacology July 11, 2014
and 15 more in the library