Abstract The involvement of µ‐opioid receptors in the rewarding properties of MDMA was explored in µ‐opioid receptor knockout mice using the conditioning place preference paradigm. The associated release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens was investigated by in vivo microdialysis. A significant rewarding effect of MDMA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was observed in both wild‐type and µ‐opioid receptor...
Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET) studies with radiolabeled dopamine D 2 ‐like receptor ligands reveal d ‐amphetamine‐evoked increases in the competition from endogenous dopamine. However, the corresponding effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”), which releases catecholamines and also serotonin, are unknown. Using PET, we measured the binding potentials ( pB s) of...
Abstract Previous experiments conducted in this laboratory showed that administration of high‐dose D‐fenfluramine (D‐FEN) and p‐chloroamphetamine (PCA) decreased 5‐HT transporter (SERT) binding and tissue 5‐HT by 30–60% in caudate and whole brain tissue 2 days and 2 weeks after drug administration. However, protein expression as determined by Western blot analysis did not change in either...
The neurotoxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) has been intensely investigated due to the widespread abuse of this drug and its neurotoxic effects. In mice, MDMA neurotoxicity has been demonstrated for striatal dopamine (DA) terminals. However, the current literature has reported great variability in the effects induced by MDMA; this is partially due to changes in...
These findings support the hypothesis of MDMA-induced protracted alterations of the serotonergic system and indicate that the reduced availability of serotonin transporter, as measured by PET, might be reversible. Women appear to be more susceptible than men to MDMA-induced alterations of the serotonergic system.
Abstract Drugs of abuse, such as 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), often have more powerful effects during states of increased activation and under specific environmental conditions. Because hyperthermia is a major complication of MDMA use and a factor potentiating neurotoxicity, we examined the effects of this drug (9 mg/kg, sc; approximately one‐fifth of the known LD 50 in rats) on...
Abstract 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine damages fine serotonergic fibers and nerve terminals in adult organisms. Developing animals seem to be less susceptible to this effect, possibly due to a lack of drug‐induced hyperthermia. We tested this hypothesis by producing hyperthermia in neonatal rats for 2 h after each of twice‐daily MDMA (10 mg/kg s.c.) or saline injections administered from...
Abstract Club drugs are typically taken by groups of people during raves. Raves are parties where the opportunity to dance to very loud, rhythmic music while under the influence of one or more drugs is the primary attraction. Needless to say, most users of club drugs under these conditions are young and single. Club drugs are usually taken periodically; several of them may be taken three to...
Recreational Ecstasy/MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) users often take a variety of psychoactive drugs, but there is little empirical data on how these drug consumption patterns change with greater experience of Ecstasy. The aim of this study was to compare the polydrug usage patterns reported by non-Ecstasy users, novice Ecstasy users, moderate Ecstasy users, and heavy Ecstasy users....
Studies were designed to examine the effects of α 1 ( α 1 AR)‐ plus β 3 ‐adrenoreceptor ( β 3 AR) antagonists on 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy)‐induced hyperthermia and measures of rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase (CK)) and renal function (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (sCr)) in male Sprague–Dawley rats. MDMA (40 mg kg −1 , s.c.) induced a rapid and robust...