(±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates

George A. Ricaurte; Lysia S. Forno; Mary A. Wilson; Louis E. Delanney; Ian Irwin; Mark E. Molliver; J. William Langston

doi:10.1001/jama.1988.03410010059035

(±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates

George A. Ricaurte, Lysia S. Forno, Mary A. Wilson, Louis E. Delanney, Ian Irwin, Mark E. Molliver, J. William Langston

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

(±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug that has been proposed to be useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy. This study assessed the neurotoxic potential of MDMA in nonhuman primates. Monkeys were repeatedly administered doses (2.50, 3.75, and 5.00 mg/kg) of MDMA subcutaneously and analyzed for regional brain content of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid two weeks later. In all regions of the monkey brain examined, MDMA produced a selective dose-related depletion of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. These neurochemical deficits were associated with evidence of structural damage to serotonergic nerve fibers. In addition, MDMA produced pathological changes in nerve cell bodies in the dorsal, but not median, raphe nucleus. These results indicate that MDMA is a selective serotonergic neurotoxin in nonhuman primates and that humans using this drug may be at risk for incurring central serotonergic neuronal damage.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	51-55
Number of pages	5
Journal	JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Volume	260
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1988.03410010059035
State	Published - Jul 1 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Medicine

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title = "(±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates",

abstract = "(±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug that has been proposed to be useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy. This study assessed the neurotoxic potential of MDMA in nonhuman primates. Monkeys were repeatedly administered doses (2.50, 3.75, and 5.00 mg/kg) of MDMA subcutaneously and analyzed for regional brain content of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid two weeks later. In all regions of the monkey brain examined, MDMA produced a selective dose-related depletion of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. These neurochemical deficits were associated with evidence of structural damage to serotonergic nerve fibers. In addition, MDMA produced pathological changes in nerve cell bodies in the dorsal, but not median, raphe nucleus. These results indicate that MDMA is a selective serotonergic neurotoxin in nonhuman primates and that humans using this drug may be at risk for incurring central serotonergic neuronal damage.",

author = "Ricaurte, {George A.} and Forno, {Lysia S.} and Wilson, {Mary A.} and Delanney, {Louis E.} and Ian Irwin and Molliver, {Mark E.} and Langston, {J. William}",

note = "Funding Information: HealthFoundationLtdsubcontract091A-701.One ofthe authors (M.A.W.) was supported by the L. P. Markey Fund. WethankLorreneDavis-Ritchie,ZoAnn McBride,Rosner, experttechnicalassistance.",

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AU - Wilson, Mary A.

AU - Delanney, Louis E.

AU - Irwin, Ian

AU - Molliver, Mark E.

AU - Langston, J. William

N1 - Funding Information: HealthFoundationLtdsubcontract091A-701.One ofthe authors (M.A.W.) was supported by the L. P. Markey Fund. WethankLorreneDavis-Ritchie,ZoAnn McBride,Rosner, experttechnicalassistance.

PY - 1988/7/1

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N2 - (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug that has been proposed to be useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy. This study assessed the neurotoxic potential of MDMA in nonhuman primates. Monkeys were repeatedly administered doses (2.50, 3.75, and 5.00 mg/kg) of MDMA subcutaneously and analyzed for regional brain content of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid two weeks later. In all regions of the monkey brain examined, MDMA produced a selective dose-related depletion of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. These neurochemical deficits were associated with evidence of structural damage to serotonergic nerve fibers. In addition, MDMA produced pathological changes in nerve cell bodies in the dorsal, but not median, raphe nucleus. These results indicate that MDMA is a selective serotonergic neurotoxin in nonhuman primates and that humans using this drug may be at risk for incurring central serotonergic neuronal damage.

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(±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates

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