Ecstasy (MDMA)-addicted subjects show increased serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, independently from a rise of drug-induced psychotic symptoms.
Francesco Angelucci, Valerio Ricci, Giovanni Martinotti, Ilaria Palladino, Gianfranco Spalletta, Carlo Caltagirone, Pietro Bria
Addiction Biology July 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2010.00221.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Ecstasy-addicted subjects with and without signs of psychosis, and healthy subjects |
| Measures | enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Serum BDNF levels were significantly increased in both groups of ecstasy-addicted subjects compared with healthy subjects, which the authors say supports the hypothesis that BDNF is involved in MDMA action. No result is reported for NGF. |
Abstract
The recreational drug 'ecstasy'[3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)] exerts a potent action on central serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. These neurons utilize neurotrophins for their survival and function. In order to explore MDMA effects on neurotrophins, we measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in 'ecstasy-addicted', 'ecstasy-addicted with signs of psychosis' and 'healthy' subjects. We found that BDNF serum levels were significantly increased in both groups of 'ecstasy-addicted' as compared with 'healthy subjects', supporting the hypothesis that BDNF is involved in MDMA action.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subjective Reports of the Effects of MDMA in a Clinical Setting Individuals who took MDMA in a clinical setting | 1986 | Observational study | |
| Memory impairment in abstinent MDMA ("Ecstasy") users Abstinent MDMA users | 1998 | Observational cohort | |
| Impaired cognitive performance in drug free users of recreational ecstasy (MDMA) Otherwise healthy young people | 2000 | Observational | |
| The Psychological and Physiological Effects of MDMA on Normal Volunteers Older, more educated, drug-experienced individuals | 1986 | Observational cohort | |
| Cognitive performance in recreational users of MDMA or 'ecstasy': evidence for memory deficits Young people who were regular or novice MDMA users, or non-users | 1998 | Observational cohort | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Beyond psychedelics: set and setting in general psychiatric practice. International Review of Psychiatry December 1, 2024
- [Neurotrophic mechanisms of psychedelic therapy]. Biologie aujourd'hui 2019
- Changing your mind: neuroplastic mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of psychedelics in depression, PTSD, and addiction Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry October 1, 2025
- Of mice and men on MDMA: a translational comparison of the neuropsychobiological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy'). Brain Research November 14, 2019
- The involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced place preference and behavioral sensitization. Behavioural Brain Research May 1, 2017