Brain serotonin transporter binding in former users of MDMA ('ecstasy').
BACKGROUND
Animal experimental studies have prompted concerns that widespread use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'ecstasy') by young people may pose a major public health problem in terms of persistent serotonin neurotoxicity.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the status of brain serotonin neurons in a group of abstinent MDMA users.


METHODS
We assessed the integrity of brain serotonin neurons by measuring serotonin transporter (SERT) binding using positron emission tomography (PET) and [(11)C]DASB in 12 former MDMA users, 9 polydrug users who had never taken MDMA and 19 controls who reported no history of illicit drug use.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the binding potential of [(11)C]DASB between the groups in any of the brain regions examined.


CONCLUSIONS
To the extent that [(11)C]DASB binding provides an index of the integrity of serotonin neurons, our findings suggest that MDMA use may not result in long-term damage to serotonin neurons when used recreationally in humans.
Selvaraj
Sudhakar
S
PET Psychiatry, Cyclotron Building, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK.
Hoshi
Rosa
R
Bhagwagar
Zubin
Z
Murthy
Naga Venkatesha
NV
Hinz
Rainer
R
Cowen
Philip
P
Curran
H Valerie
HV
Grasby
Paul
P