Lasting neuropsychiatric sequelae of (+-)methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('ecstasy') in recreational users.
Two persons are described who demonstrated prolonged neuropsychiatric syndromes after the ingestion of large doses of (+-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a recreationally used amphetamine analog. These cases suggest that MDMA, known to be neurotoxic to serotonin neurons in several experimental animals, may also produce untoward effects in humans. In addition, they provide evidence that ingestion of large doses of MDMA can produce lasting adverse functional consequences in vulnerable persons.
Department of Behavioral Biology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC 20307-5100.
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McCann
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Ricaurte
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine