Association of a functional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene with abnormal emotional processing in ecstasy users.
OBJECTIVE
The long-term effects of the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or Ecstasy) in humans are controversial and unclear. The authors' goal was to assess the contribution of a functional polymorphism in the gene encoding serotonin transporter to changes in emotional processing following chronic Ecstasy use.


METHODS
They investigated Beck Depression Inventory scores and performance on the Affective Go/No-Go test, a computerized neuropsychological test sensitive to emotional processing, in Ecstasy users and comparison subjects, stratifying the results by serotonin transporter genotype.


RESULTS
Ecstasy use was associated with higher Beck Depression Inventory score and abnormalities in the Affective Go/No-Go test in individuals with the ss and ls genotype but not those with the ll genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
Ecstasy users carrying the s allele, but not comparison subjects carrying the s allele, showed abnormal emotional processing. On the basis of a comparison with acute tryptophan depletion, the authors hypothesize that chronic Ecstasy use may cause long-term changes to the serotonin system, and that Ecstasy users carrying the s allele may be at particular risk for emotional dysfunction.
Roiser
Jonathan P
JP
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke,s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. roiserj@mail.nih.gov
Cook
Lynnette J
LJ
Cooper
Jason D
JD
Rubinsztein
David C
DC
Sahakian
Barbara J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000172:deficiency
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D014364:Tryptophan; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
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