Neuropharmacology
December 2011
Erica Y Shen, Syed F. Ali, Jerrold S. Meyer
Most recreational users of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") also take cannabis, in part because cannabis can reduce the dysphoric symptoms of the ecstasy come-down such as agitation and insomnia. Although previous animal studies have examined the acute effects of co-administering MDMA and Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the major psychoactive ingredient in...
Addictive Behaviors
December 2011
Melanie J Smerdon, Andrew J P Francis
Extending recent studies showing that sensitivity to reward and outcome expectancies are associated with problematic alcohol and cannabis use, we undertook to determine if similar relationships would hold for ecstasy. One hundred and twenty five males and females aged between 18 and 35years were recruited from RMIT University and through snowball sampling. Participants completed a questionnaire...
Journal of Neuroinflammation
December 1, 2011
Andrea Mayado, Elisa Torres, Maria D Gutierrez-Lopez et al.
8 citations
AbstractBackgroundPreconditioning is a phenomenon by which tolerance develops to injury by previous exposure to a stressor of mild severity. Previous studies have shown that single or repeated low dose MDMA can attenuate 5-HT transporter loss produced by a subsequent neurotoxic dose of the drug. We have explored the mechanism of delayed preconditioning by low dose MDMA.MethodsMale Dark Agouti...
Journal of Neuroscience
November 23, 2011
Benjamin Di Cara, Roberto Maggio, Gabriella Aloisi et al.
97 citations
“Ecstasy” [3,4-methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA)] is of considerable interest in light of its prosocial properties and risks associated with widespread recreational use. Recently, it was found to bind trace amine-1 receptors (TA 1 Rs), which modulate dopaminergic transmission. Accordingly, using mice genetically deprived of TA 1 R ( TA 1 -KO ), we explored their significance to the actions of...
Toxicology
November 18, 2011
Irene Antolino-Lobo, Jan Meulenbelt, Jeffrey Molendijk et al.
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) metabolism is a major cause of MDMA-mediated hepatotoxicity. In this study the effects of MDMA and its metabolites on the glutathione system were evaluated. Glutathione (GSH/GSSG) levels and gene expression of glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) were compared in the...
Journal of Psychopharmacology
November 2011
Eleanor M Taylor, Natasha M P Greene, Celia J. A. Morgan et al.
Studies of the chronic effects of MDMA, or 'ecstasy', in humans have been largely inconsistent. We explored whether study-level characteristics are associated with the effect size estimate reported. We based our analyses on the recent systematic review by Rogers and colleagues, focusing on those meta-analyses within this report where there was a relatively large number of studies contributing...
Psychopharmacology
November 2011
Marta Rodríguez‐arias, Concepción Maldonado, Antonio Vidal-Infer et al.
Heavy binge drinking is increasingly frequent among adolescents, while ethanol (EtOH) is often used in combination with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The long-lasting effects of intermittent exposure to EtOH and MDMA during adolescence on motor activity, anxiety, and social behavior were evaluated in adult mice. The concentration of brain monoamines in the striatum, cortex, and...
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
November 2011
Manuel Daza‐losada, José Miñarro, María A. Aguilar et al.
Cannabis is one of the drugs most commonly consumed in combination with ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA). Although numerous studies have attempted to further our understanding of the role of the cannabinoid system in drug abuse, few have focused on how it influences the rewarding effects of MDMA. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of the CB1 cannabinoid...
Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry
November 1, 2011
Ben Sessa
24 citations
Abstract In recent studies, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) has shown promise in the treatment of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an adjunct to post‐trauma psychological therapy. However, because of historical associations with its use as the recreational drug ecstasy, MDMA research remains a controversial subject. Dr Sessa discusses these controversies and describes a...
Addiction Biology
October 13, 2011
Bruno Ribeiro Do Couto, Manuel Daza‐losada, Marta Rodrı́guez-arias et al.
26 citations
ABSTRACT Many adolescents often take ethanol (EtOH) in combination with 3,4‐methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA). In the present work, we used a mouse model to study the effect of repeated pre‐exposure during adolescence to EtOH (2 g/kg), MDMA (10 or 20 mg/kg) or EtOH + MDMA on the rewarding and reinstating effects of MDMA in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Pre‐exposure to...
Toxicology Letters
October 10, 2011
Sandra L Hrometz, Karen Thatcher, Jeremy A Ebert et al.
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) induces thermogenesis in a mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3-dependent manner. There is evidence that this hyperthermia is mediated in part by the lipolytic release of free fatty acids, that subsequently activate uncoupling protein 3 in skeletal muscle mitochondria. We hypothesize that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a strong lipolytic mediator, may...
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
October 4, 2011
Natacha Vanattou‐saïfoudine, Brendan Behan, Andrew Harkin
6 citations
Markers of dopamine D(1) receptor activation were determined to elucidate intracellular mechanisms associated with the combined effects of caffeine and 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), reported previously to produce increased toxicity, when compared with either drug alone. Caffeine (10 mg/kg) and MDMA (15 mg/kg) were administered to male Sprague Dawley rats alone and in combination....
Journal of Psychopharmacology
October 3, 2011
Kim Wolff, Eva-Maria Tsapakis, Carmine Maria Pariante et al.
37 citations
In this study we investigate the association of cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2D6, catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT, Val158Met) and serotonin transporter promoter (5-HTTLPR) genotypes on change in cortisol concentration following 3, 4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') consumption. Forty-eight subjects (30 males, mean age 23 years), self-nominating regular clubbers provided 'in the...
Psychopharmacology
October 2011
Una D. Mccann, Robert R Edwards, Michael T Smith et al.
(±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug that has potential to damage brain serotonin (5-HT) neurons in humans. Brain 5-HT neurons play a role in pain modulation, yet little is known about long-term effects of MDMA on pain function. Notably, MDMA users have been shown to have altered sleep, a phenomenon that can lead to altered pain modulation. This study...
Synapse
October 2011
Melanie Mueller, Jie Yuan, Concepcion Maldonado Adrian et al.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)'s O-demethylenated metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (HHMA), has been hypothesized to serve as a precursor for the formation of toxic catechol-thioether metabolites (e.g., 5-N-acetylcystein-S-yl-HHMA) that mediate MDMA neurotoxicity. To further test this hypothesis, HHMA formation was blocked with dextromethorphan (DXM), which competitively...
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
October 2011
Wael M.Y. Mohamed, Sami Ben Hamida, Jean-Christophe Cassel et al.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is one of the most widely abused illegal drugs. Some users self-report euphoria and an increased perception and feeling of closeness to others. When taken in warm environments, MDMA users may develop acute complications with potential fatal consequences. In rodents, MDMA increases locomotor activity and, depending on ambient temperature, may...
Addiction Biology
September 28, 2011
Jennifer Do, Susan Schenk
37 citations
ABSTRACT 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use and abuse have been increasing worldwide. Of concern, exposure to high doses of MDMA decreases several markers of serotonin (5HT) neurotransmission and produces deficits in tissue levels of 5HT. Studies in laboratory animals have been conducted primarily following large doses (20.0–80.0 mg/kg) of experimenter‐administered MDMA, but it is...
Psychopharmacology
September 27, 2011
Wendy M. Bosker, Kim P. C. Kuypers, Silke Conen et al.
32 citations
RATIONALE: Experimental research has shown that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) can improve some psychomotor driving skills when administered during the day. In real life, however, MDMA is taken during the night, and driving may likely occur early in the morning after a night of "raving" and sleep loss. OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed the effects of MDMA on road-tracking and...
Journal of Neuroscience Research
September 21, 2011
Elena Puerta, Lucía Barros-Miñones, Isabel Hervias et al.
17 citations
Sildenafil, given shortly before 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), affords protection against 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) depletions caused by this amphetamine derivative by an acute preconditioning-like mechanism. Because acute and delayed preconditionings do not share the same mechanisms, we investigated whether sildenafil would also protect the 5-HT system of the rat if given 24 hr...
Drug and Alcohol Review
September 15, 2011
Stuart A. Kinner, Jessica George, Jennifer M. Johnston et al.
19 citations
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: A significant proportion of young Australians engage in risky alcohol consumption, and an increasing minority are regular ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) users. Risky alcohol use, alone or in combination with ecstasy, is associated with a range of acute and chronic health risks. The aim of this study was to document the incidence and some health-related...