3,4-Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE), a novel analogue of MDMA, produces long-lasting depletion of serotonin in the rat brain.
The present study was carried out to asses possible toxic effects of 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDE) on serotonergic, dopaminergic or noradrenergic neurons in the rat brain. It was found that MDE produced a long-lasting, dose-related depletion of serotonin (5HT). However, even at high dosage, MDE did not reduce the concentration of either dopamine (DA) or norepinephrine (NE) on a long-term basis. When compared to 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA), MDE was approximately one fourth as potent as producing a long-term depletion of 5HT. These results suggest that MDE, like MDMA, may be selectively toxic to central serotonergic neurons.
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
D000662:Amphetamines; D012701:Serotonin; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; C051800:3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine