Amphetamine-related drugs neurotoxicity in humans and in experimental animals: Main mechanisms.
Rosario Moratalla, Amit Khairnar, Nicola Simola, Noelia Granado, Jose Ruben García-Montes, Pier Francesca Porceddu, Yousef Tizabi, Giulia Costa, Micaela Morelli
Progress in Neurobiology August 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.09.011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine Dopamine Mouse Neurodegeneration Neuroinflammation neurotoxicity Non-human primate |
| Key findings | The authors report that preclinical studies in rodents and non-human primates demonstrate neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects of MDMA and methamphetamine on dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons, and that these drugs also produce behavioral changes in animals and humans. They argue that the resulting neuronal damage carries neuropsychological and neurological consequences, and that therapeutic strategies for managing these problems are needed. |
Abstract
Amphetamine-related drugs, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (METH), are popular recreational psychostimulants. Several preclinical studies have demonstrated that, besides having the potential for abuse, amphetamine-related drugs may also elicit neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects. The neurotoxic potentials of MDMA and METH to dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons have been clearly demonstrated in both rodents and non-human primates. This review summarizes the species-specific cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in MDMA and METH-mediated neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects, along with the most important behavioral changes elicited by these substances in experimental animals and humans. Emphasis is placed on the neuropsychological and neurological consequences associated with the neuronal damage. Moreover, we point out the gap in our knowledge and the need for developing appropriate therapeutic strategies to manage the neurological problems associated with amphetamine-related drug 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 30
- Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine ACS Chemical Neuroscience July 12, 2018
- Neurotoxicity of MDMA: Main effects and mechanisms. Experimental Neurology October 1, 2021
- Metabolites of the ring-substituted stimulants MDMA, methylone and MDPV differentially affect human monoaminergic systems Journal of Psychopharmacology April 30, 2019
- Human Metabolome Changes after a Single Dose of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with Special Focus on Steroid Metabolism and Inflammation Processes Journal of Proteome Research June 27, 2018
- Increased iNOS and Nitrosative Stress in Dopaminergic Neurons of MDMA-Exposed Rats International Journal of Molecular Sciences March 12, 2019
and 25 more in the library
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