Neurotoxic effects of ecstasy on the thalamus.
BACKGROUND
Neurotoxic effects of ecstasy have been reported, although it remains unclear whether effects can be attributed to ecstasy, other recreational drugs or a combination of these.


OBJECTIVE
To assess specific/independent neurotoxic effects of heavy ecstasy use and contributions of amphetamine, cocaine and cannabis as part of The Netherlands XTC Toxicity (NeXT) study.


METHODS
Effects of ecstasy and other substances were assessed with (1)H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, perfusion weighted imaging and [(123)I]2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-tropane ([(123)I]beta-CIT) single photon emission computed tomography (serotonin transporters) in a sample (n=71) with broad variation in drug use, using multiple regression analyses.


RESULTS
Ecstasy showed specific effects in the thalamus with decreased [(123)I]beta-CIT binding, suggesting serotonergic axonal damage; decreased fractional anisotropy, suggesting axonal loss; and increased cerebral blood volume probably caused by serotonin depletion. Ecstasy had no effect on brain metabolites and apparent diffusion coefficients.


CONCLUSIONS
Converging evidence was found for a specific toxic effect of ecstasy on serotonergic axons in the thalamus.
de Win
Maartje M L
MM
Department of Radiology, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.m.dewin@amc.uva.nl
Jager
Gerry
G
Booij
Jan
J
Reneman
Liesbeth
L
Schilt
Thelma
T
Lavini
Cristina
C
Olabarriaga
Sílvia D
SD
Ramsey
Nick F
NF
Heeten
Gerard J den
GJ
van den Brink
Wim
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013786:Thalamic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013788:Thalamus / Q000187:drug effects*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D055815:Young Adult
D018490:Serotonin Agents; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine