title: [Acute and long-term effects of ecstasy].
abstract: Side effects in the short term Recreational use of Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA), a synthetic drug, has considerably increased over the last decade. Since its appearance it is associated with the rave culture, but its use has spread to other social settings. The drug produces euphoria and empathy, but can lead to side effects, notably acute, potentially lethal, toxicity (malignant hyperthermia and/or hepatitis). Neurotoxicity in the long-term Moreover, MDMA has been shown to induce long-term deleterious effects and provoke neurotoxic affecting the serotoninergic system. However, the psychopathological consequences of such neurotoxicity are still controversial, particularly since many ecstasy consumers are multi-drug users. A complex pharmacological profile The mechanism of action of MDMA involves various neurobiological systems (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenalin), that may all interact.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de neuropsychopharmacologie des addictions, Université René-Descartes, Paris (75).
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salzmann
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marie-Claire
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Noble
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine