Reduced in vivo binding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA ('ecstasy') users.
BACKGROUND
The use of MDMA ('ecstasy') is common among young people in Western countries. Animal models of MDMA toxicity suggest a loss of serotonergic neurons, and potentially implicate in the development of significant psychiatric morbidity in humans.


OBJECTIVE
To test whether long-term use of MDMA can produce abnormalities in cerebral serotonin, but not dopamine, transporter binding measured by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).


METHODS
Ten male regular ecstasy users and 10 well-matched controls recruited from the same community sources participated in SPECT with the serotonin transporter (SERT) ligand [123I] beta-CIT. Dopamine transporter binding was determined from scans acquired 23 hours after injection of the tracer.


RESULTS
Ecstasy users showed a cortical reduction of SERT binding, particularly prominent in primary sensory-motor cortex, with normal dopamine transporter binding in lenticular nuclei.


CONCLUSIONS
This cross-sectional association study provides suggestive evidence for specific, at least temporary, serotonergic neurotoxicity of MDMA in humans.
Semple
D M
DM
University Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
Ebmeier
K P
KP
Glabus
M F
MF
O'Carroll
R E
RE
Johnstone
E C
EC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine