Neuropsychopharmacology
August 2008
Michael A. Benneyworth, Randy L Smith, Elaine Sanders‐bush
Recent clinical studies in schizophrenic patients show that a selective agonist of group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors has robust efficacy in treating positive and negative symptoms. Group II mGlu receptor agonists also modulate the in vivo activity of psychotomimetic drugs, reducing the ability of psychotomimetic hallucinogens to increase glutamatergic transmission. The use of...
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
July 1, 2008
Karen L. Hanson, Mónica Luciana, Kristin Sullwold
The recreational drug, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'Ecstasy'), is a synthetic amphetamine derivative and a serotonin neurotoxin. MDMA use is associated with cognitive dysfunction and impulsivity, but since polydrug abuse is common among users it is difficult to attribute these problems specifically to MDMA. Moreover, few studies have examined reward-related cognitive processes. Our...
Planta Medica
July 1, 2008
Mario Marchi, Massimo Grilli, Elisa Neri et al.
Salvinorin-A is a component of Salvia divinorum , displaying psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties in humans. Recent literature suggests that this compound can act as a potent and selective opioid receptor agonist, having high affinity towards the K–opioid receptor subtype. The aim of our study was to investigate whether and to what extent this compound can alter the release of...
Neuropharmacology
June 2008
C Chipana, I Torres, J Camarasa et al.
We hypothesize that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (METH) interact with alpha-7 nicotinic receptors (nAChR). Here we examine whether memantine (MEM), an antagonist of NMDAR and alpha-7 nAChR, prevents MDMA and METH neurotoxicity. MEM prevented both serotonergic injury induced by MDMA in rat and dopaminergic lesion by METH in mice. MEM has a better protective effect...
Brain Research
May 23, 2008
Nadia Benturquia, Cindie Courtin, Florence Noble et al.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a widely used recreational drug with psychoactive properties, induces both serotonin and dopamine release in the brain. In rats and mice MDMA induces behavioural changes and has rewarding effects but little is known about its cellular effects. We have previously shown that the ERK pathway is important for the changes in gene expression observed in mice...
Behavioural Brain Research
May 16, 2008
V Ludwig, Y Mihov, R K W Schwarting
Using the elevated plus-maze (EPM), Wistar rats can be distinguished into high (HA) or low anxiety (LA) subjects. These differences seem to reflect traits, since HA and LA rats vary also in other anxiety-dependent tasks, neurochemical mechanisms, and psychopharmacological reactivity, including lasting consequences after single treatment with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Here, we...
Behavioural Brain Research
May 16, 2008
Sanna Kurling, Aino Kankaanpää, Timo Seppälä
Misuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) is increasing, and appears to have much in common with the use of substances known to induce drug dependence. Moreover, persons who abuse AASs also tend to abuse other psychotropic drugs such as amphetamine or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy"). The aim of this study was to investigate whether nandrolone (5 x 5 or 5 x 20 mg/kg)...
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
May 6, 2008
'Hybrid' benzofuran-benzopyran congeners as rigid analogs of hallucinogenic phenethylamines.
Neuropsychopharmacology
April 2008
Brian J. Piper, Joseph B. Fraiman, Cullen B Owens et al.
High or repeated doses of the recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or 'Ecstasy') produce long-lasting deficits in several markers of serotonin (5-HT) system integrity and also alter behavioral function. However, it is not yet clear whether MDMA-induced serotonergic neurotoxicity is responsible for these behavioral changes or whether other mechanisms are involved. The...
Neuroscience
March 27, 2008
Michael H. Baumann, R D Clark, F H Franken et al.
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) stimulates the transporter-mediated release of monoamines, including 5-HT. High-dose exposure to MDMA causes persistent 5-HT deficits (e.g. depletion of brain 5-HT) in animals, yet the functional and clinical relevance of such deficits are poorly defined. Here we examine functional consequences of MDMA-induced 5-HT depletions in rats. Male...