MDMA (Ecstasy) controls in concert a group of genes involved in GABA neurotransmission
by
Simantov R, Peng W.
Department of Molecular Genetics,
Weizmann Institute of Science,
Rehovot 76100, Israel.
FEBS Lett. 2004 Apr 9;563(1-3):3-6

ABSTRACT

In several countries, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is currently the most abundant psychoactive recreational drug. MDMA induces numerous neuropsychiatric behaviors, serotonergic neuron degeneration, programmed death of cultured cells, hyperthermia and occasional fatality. Using gene expression analysis in MDMA-treated mice, we identified changes in gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) transporters and synaptotagmins I and IV. Additional experiments showed decreases in mRNAs encoding septin and dystrophin. Although belonging to different gene families, it is striking that these four protein groups are implicated in neurotransmission of GABA, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in thermoregulation. MDMA may control these genes in a combined fashion, assigning GABA a pivotal role in MDMA activities.

GABA
History
MDMA/MDE
Controversies
Protect and survive
Serotonin/GABA interactions
Ecstasy: serotonin, GABA and dopamine release

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family