Toxicodynamics and long-term toxicity of the recreational drug, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy')

The recreational drug, (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecsta sy'), is a potent serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin in animals. Whether humans wh o use MDMA incur 5-HT neural injury is unknown. The present studies utilize d positron emission tomography (PET) in conjunction with the 5-HT transport er ligand, [C-11]McN-5652 to assess the status of brain 5-HT neurons in hum an MDMA users. Like nonhuman primates treated with neurotoxic doses of MDMA , humans with a history of MDMA use showed lasting decrements in global bra in [C-11]McN-5652 binding, with decreases in [C-11]McN-5652 binding positiv ely correlated to the extent of previous MDMA use. These results suggest th at human MDMA use results in brain 5-HT neurotoxicity. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.