This study utilized drug discrimination procedures to assess the functional consequences of (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-induced serotonin depletion, and to determine whether concomitant injections of fluoxetine averted these effects. Twelve male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate S(+)-MDMA (1.5 mg/kg, s.c.) from saline in a two-lever, water-reinforced operant pr...

BACKGROUND 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) is a popular recreational drug that has been shown to damage brain serotonin neurons in high doses. However, effects of moderate MDMA use on serotonin neurons have not been studied, and sex differences and the long-term effects of MDMA use on serotonin neurons have not been identified. We investigated the effects of moderate and hea...

Aims To determine trends in 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-related death rates across Australia, Finland, Portugal and Turkey to analyse the toxicology causes of countries. Design Analysis MDMA-related deaths extracted from a national coronial database Australia (2001–19) forensic databases Finland (2001–17), (2008–19) (2007–17). Presentation MDMA use seizure data (market indicators)....

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") is a designer drug commonly misused in large segments of young populations. MDMA is usually formulated in tablets of its racemate (1:1 mixture of its enantiomers) in doses ranging from 50 to 200 mg. MDMA has an enantioselective metabolism, the (S)-enantiomer being metabolized faster than the (R)-enantiomer. Different pharmacologic properties h...

Use of the popular club drug ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) can result in life-threatening hyperthermia and rhabdomyolysis. Recent studies show a link between skeletal muscle uncoupling proteins in MDMA-mediated hyperthermia. The mechanisms by which MDMA interacts with skeletal muscle mitochondria are largely unknown. The present study was designed to comprehensively evaluate...

BACKGROUND Although the popular drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") has been shown to damage brain serotonin (5-HT) neurons in animals, the fate and functional consequences of 5-HT neurons after MDMA injury are not known in humans. We investigated the long-term effects of MDMA use on cortical 5-HT neurons in humans and memory function, because brain 5-HT has been implicat...

OBJECTIVES 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) one of the methamphetamine derivatives that affect the reproductive system, has not been well understood. Many young people are consumers of drugs such as MDMA that can affect their reproductive capability. Apoptosis is the main mechanism for male infertility. Pentoxifylline (PTX) increases cAMP intracellularly and reduces tumor necrosis fact...

OBJECTIVE The spice Zingiber officinale or ginger possesses antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects. The effects of this traditional herbal medicine on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) induced neurotoxicity have not yet been studied. The present study considers the effects of Zingiber officinale on MDMA-induced spatial memory impairment and apoptosis in the hippocampus of male ...

BACKGROUND 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) misuse is associated with hyponatremia particularly in women. Hyponatremia is possibly due to inappropriate secretion of plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP). OBJECTIVE To assess whether MDMA increases plasma AVP and copeptin in healthy male and female subjects and whether effects depend on MDMA-induced release of serotonin and norepin...

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a psychoactive stimulant abused by young people as the recreational drug ecstasy. Other compounds, either deliberately added or present as byproducts, are often found in MDMA tablets and can unexpectedly interact with each other. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects of interactions caused by concomitants in MDMA tablets on...