Administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (4 × 20 mg/kg) to non-transgenic CD-1 mice caused marked depletion in dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the caudate–putamen. There were no significant changes in serotonergic markers in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. Homozygous and heterozygous copper/zinc superoxide dismutase transgenic mice show partial...

background ecstasy or 3-4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (mdma), as an amphetamine derivate, could lead to learning and memory impairment. objectives as the hippocampus is responsible for learning and memory, herein we evaluated acute and chronic effects of mdma on the structure of the hippocampus. materials and methods male wistar rats (200-250 g) received single or multiple injections of mdma...

A case of a patient with intracranial haemorrhage thought to have been associated with ingestion of 'Ecstasy' [3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)] is presented. The case illustrates the importance of drug analysis in cases involving illicit drug use.

Abnormal interactions between serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) and glucocorticoids, notably in the hippocampus, may underpin neuroendocrine, affective and cognitive dysfunction in depression and ageing. Glucocorticoids act via intracellular glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine binds to a family of transmembrane sites; both cross- and auto-regulation have be...

Rats were injected with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("Ecstasy") and assessed for changes in locomotor activity and for the expression of the immediate early gene c-fos throughout the brain. A dose-dependent increase in locomotor activity was seen with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (0, 5 and 20 mg/kg) that continued for at least 2 h following administration. Dose-dependent increases in...

Background Psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and modafinil are increasingly used by healthy people for cognitive enhancement purposes, whereas the acute effect of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) on cognitive functioning in healthy subjects remains unclear. This study directly compared the acute effects of methylphenidate, modafinil, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine on th...