Ud. Mccann et Ga. Ricaurte, REINFORCING SUBJECTIVE EFFECTS OF (+ -) 3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE (ECSTASY) MAY BE SEPARABLE FROM ITS NEUROTOXIC ACTIONS - CLINICAL-EVIDENCE/, Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 13(3), 1993, pp. 214-217
(+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic amphetamine
derivative used recreationally by humans, damages brain serotonin neu
rons in experimental animals. In preclinical studies, serotonin reupta
ke inhibitors block MDMA-induced serotonin release; they also block MD
MA neurotoxicity. Whether serotonin reuptake inhibitors also block MDM
A's psychoactive effects in humans has not been established. Reported
herein are four individuals who describe their experiences after inges
ting fluoxetine, a potent and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor,
before MDMA ingestion. Their reports indicate that fluoxetine does not
block MDMA's reinforcing subjective effects and raise the possibility
that MDMA's psychoactive effects may be separable from its neurotoxic
actions.