The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administration on arginine vasopressin (AVP) release. (R,S)-MDMA (40 mg) was administered to eight normally hydrated healthy male volunteers (22-32 years) and blood samples were collected up to 24 h. Plasma was assayed for AVP and cortisol by radioimmunoassays, and for MDMA and the N-demethylated...

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) or 'Ecstasy' is a widely used recreational drug that produces a state of heightened mood but also cardiovascular and vegetative side-effects. In animals, MDMA releases serotonin and, to a lesser extent, dopamine and norepinephrine. The release of serotonin can be blocked by serotonin uptake inhibitors such as citalopram. It is unknown to what extent this...

The party drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine -better known as MDMA or ecstasy- has numerous effects on the human body, characterized by a rush of energy, euphoria and empathy. However, also a multitude of toxic/neurotoxic effects have been ascribed to MDMA, based upon case reports and studies in animals. Given the intrinsic difficulties associated with controlled studies in human beings, mo...

Currently, joint use of ketamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) represents a specific combination of polydrug abuse. Long-lasting and even aggravated central neuronal toxicity associated with mixing ketamine and MDMA use is of special concern. This study was undertaken to examine the modulating effects of ketamine treatment on later MDMA-induced dopamine and serotonin neu...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a drug of abuse with mixed stimulant- and hallucinogen-like effects. The aims of the present studies were to establish discrimination of S(+)-MDMA, R(-)-MDMA, or their combination as racemic MDMA in separate groups of mice to assess cross-substitution tests among all three compounds, to determine the time courses of the training doses, to assess pharm...

The extraction of impurities from illegally produced 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has been studied in order to optimize the parameters. Two different MDMA samples were used. Particular attention was paid to the influence of the pH, the evaporation step, and the sample storage. The method used was an extraction of impurities by diethyl ether from a buffer solution at pH 11.5, followe...

Phase II trials of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy have demonstrated initial safety and efficacy for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with potential for expansion to depression and anxiety disorders. In these trials, single doses of MDMA are administered in a model of medication-assisted psychotherapy, differing from trials involving daily drug ...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has previously been shown to destroy serotonin terminals in the rat brain. Despite profound and prolonged loss of serotonin innervation, long-term behavioral effects of MDMA have not previously been reported. In this study, we monitored the short- and long-term effects of MDMA administration on the ultrasonic isolation call of the rat pup. At 30 to 60 mi...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a common recreational drug, is known to cause serotonergic neurotoxicity in the brain. Dextromethorphan (DM) is a widely used antitussive reported to exert anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. In this study, we examined the long-term effect of MDMA on the primate serotonergic system and the protective property of DM against MDMA-induced serotonergic abnorm...

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy") increases body temperature. This process could be associated with increased cutaneous blood flow, as normally occurs with exercise-induced hyperthermia. Alternatively, an MDMA-induced fall in cutaneous blood flow could contribute to the hyperthermia by diminishing normal heat transfer from the body to the environment. We investigated these pos...