SEROTONERGIC FUNCTION AFTER (+ -)-3,4-METHYLENE-DIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE (ECSTASY) IN HUMANS/

(+/-)-3,4-Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or 'Ecstasy') effects on serotonin system function and behaviour in humans are unclear. Fift een MDMA users, who did not have other drug dependencies or alcohol ab use, and had not used other drugs for prolonged periods, and 15 contro l individuals were included in a study to assess the biological and ps ychological changes after chronic use of MDMA. Prolactin and cortisol responses to D-fenfluramine challenge, clinical psychobehavioural chan ges, personality characteristics, including mood, aggressiveness and t emperamental aspects, were evaluated 3 weeks after MDMA discontinuatio n. MDMA users had significantly reduced prolactin and cortisol respons es in comparison with control individuals (p < 0.001 and p < 0.005, re spectively). Dysphoria and mood changes were exhibited in seven indivi duals, tiredness in five and sensation-seeking behaviour in twelve at the clinical evaluation. Significantly higher scores were found in MDM A individuals than in control individuals for Minnesota Multiphasic Pe rsonality Inventory subscale for Depression, for Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory direct and guilt subscales, for Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and for novelty-seeking Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire subscale. Prolactin responses to D-fenfluramine stimulation area unde r the curve among MDMA users were negatively correlated with direct ag gressiveness scores for Buss Durkee Hostility Inventory; a negative co rrelation between prolactin responses and novelty-seeking scores was a lso evidenced among MDMA users. These data suggest an association betw een serotonin system impairment and MDMA use in humans; in interpretat ion of these results, the possibility that serotonin deficit in MDMA i ndividuals was partially related to a premorbid condition, in relation ship with novelty-seeking behaviour and mood disorders, can not be exc luded. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.