Meta-analysis of molecular imaging of serotonin transporters in ecstasy/polydrug users.
Carl Alexander Roberts, Andrew Jones, Catharine Montgomery
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews April 2016 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.02.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 305 |
| Population | 157 ecstasy/MDMA users and 148 polydrug-using controls |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Molecular imaging PET Sert Spect |
| Key findings | Ecstasy/MDMA users showed reduced serotonin transporter availability compared with controls across most brain regions studied (overall SMD=0.52), with the largest reduction in the occipital cortex (SMD=1.09) and no differences in the caudate, putamen, or midbrain. The authors conclude that serotonin axons with the longest projections from the raphe nuclei appear most affected by ecstasy/MDMA use. |
Abstract
We conducted a meta-analysis on the available data from studies investigating SERTs in ecstasy users and polydrug using controls. From 7 studies we compared data from 157 ecstasy users and 148 controls across 14 brain regions. The main effect suggested ecstasy/MDMA related SERT reductions (SMD=0.52, 95% CIs [0.40, 0.65]; Z=8.36, p<.01, I(2)=89%). A significant effect of subgroups (X(2)=37.41, df=13, p<.01, I(2)=65.3%) suggested differential effects across brain ROIs. Ecstasy users showed significant SERT reductions in 11 out of the 14 regions, including every neocortical and limbic region analysed. Greatest effects were observed in the occipital cortex (SMD=1.09, 95% CIs [0.70, 1.48]). No group effects were observed in subcortical areas of the caudate, putamen and midbrain. Literature on Postsynaptic 5HT2A receptor imaging was synthesised with these results. We conclude that, in line with preclinical data, serotonin axons with the longest projections from the raphe nuclei appear to be most affected by ecstasy/MDMA use.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A review of the acute subjective effects of MDMA/ecstasy | 2006 | Systematic review | |
| Adverse events in clinical treatments with serotonergic psychedelics and MDMA: A mixed-methods systematic review Patients in clinical trials with MDMA or serotonergic psychedelics | 2022 | Systematic review | n = 598 |
| Treating posttraumatic stress disorder with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy: A preliminary meta-analysis and comparison to prolonged exposure therapy Patients with PTSD | 2016 | Meta-analysis | |
| The neuropsychology of ecstasy (MDMA) use: a quantitative review MDMA users | 2007 | Meta-analysis | |
| Drug-drug interactions between psychiatric medications and MDMA or psilocybin: a systematic review | 2022 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 28
- Understanding the Mechanisms of Action and Effects of Drugs of Abuse. Molecules June 24, 2023
- Neuroimaging of chronic MDMA (“ecstasy”) effects: A meta-analysis Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews November 12, 2018
- MDMA as a Probe and Treatment for Social Behaviors Cell July 1, 2016
- Discrete memory impairments in largely pure chronic users of MDMA. European Neuropsychopharmacology October 1, 2017
- MDMA for the Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia Journal of Clinical Medicine June 7, 2022
and 23 more in the library
Cites 15
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and 10 more in the library