3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit drug that has been associated with serotonergic axonal degeneration in animals. This study evaluates neurochemical abnormalities in recreational MDMA users. Twenty-two MDMA users and 37 normal subjects were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) in the mid-frontal, mid-occipital...

The recreational drug, (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy'), is a potent serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin in animals. Whether humans who use MDMA incur 5-HT neural injury is unknown. The present studies utilized positron emission tomography (PET) in conjunction with the 5-HT transporter ligand, [11C]McN-5652 to assess the status of brain 5-HT neurons in human MDMA users. Like non...

Introduction: Exposure to 3-4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) leads to cell death. Herein, we studied the protective effects of ginger on MDMA- induced apoptosis. Methods: 15 Sprague dawley male rats were administrated with 0, 10 mg/kg MDMA, or MDMA along with 100mg/kg ginger, IP for 7 days. Brains were removed to study the caspase 3, 8, and 9 expressions in the hippocampus by RT-PCR. Dat...

The present study strengthens the view that residues of drugs abuse may become widespread surface water contaminants following a local music festival. Overall, 10 illicit were detected from aquatic environment after festival; cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in highest concentrations. presence their metabolites over 3 monitored festival yr suggested consumption these was temporally...

JOHNSON, M. P., X. HUANG AND D. E. NICHOLS. Serotoninneurotoxicityin rats after combinedtreatmentwith a dopaminergic agent followed by a nonneurotoxic3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogue. PHARMACOL BIOCHEM BEHAV 40(4) 915-922, 1991.--There is increasing evidence linking dopamine (DA) to the long-term serotonergic (5-HT) neurotoxic effects of certain substituted amphetamines such as...

OBJECTIVE 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is an illicit, recreational drug that causes cellular death and neurotoxicity. This study evaluates the effects of different doses of MDMA on the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and genes in the hippocampus of adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this expremental study,a total of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats (200-250 g ) were treated ...