(+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produces long-term reductions in brain 5-hydroxytryptamine in rats.
(+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was administered to rats as a single 40 mg/kg injection s.c. or 40 mg/kg s.c. every second day for 4 injections. Sixteen days following the last injection rats were killed. MDMA produced significant depletions of 5-HT and its metabolite 5-HIAA in the hippocampus and the frontal cortex. 5-HT was depleted to 30% of control value in the hippocampus following a single dose. 5-HT levels were not affected in the hypothalamus, suggesting differential effects on brain 5-HT systems. DA levels in the hypothalamus were significantly increased while NE levels in the frontal cortex were decreased to 73% of control following 4 doses of MDMA. MDMA, therefore, produces long-term depletions in 5-HT which suggests that it may act as a neurotoxin at 5-HT neurons in the brain of rats.
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
D000662:Amphetamines; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012701:Serotonin; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine