Ecstasy - long-term effects on the human central nervous system revealed by positron emission tomography

Background The main psychotropic agent of the popular illicit drug ecstasy is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). In the light of animal studies and examinations of human cerebrospinal fluid, MDMA is suspected of causin g neurotoxic lesions to the serotonergic system. Aims To postulate a relationship between ecstasy use and lasting alteration s to the cerebral glucose metabolic rate. Method Positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[F-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-gl ucose (FDG) was performed on seven ecstasy users and seven subjects without any known history of illicit drug use. Data were compared for a limited nu mber of brain regions. Results By comparison with the control group, the glucose metabolic uptake of the ecstasy user group was altered within the amygdala, hippocampus and Brodmann's area II. Conclusions The results suggest the possibility that ecstasy use has lastin g effects on central neuronal activity in humans. Declaration of interest No external funding. No conflict of interest.