Striatal serotonin is depleted in
brain of a human MDMA (Ecstasy) user
by
Kish SJ, Furukawa Y, Ang L, Vorce SP, Kalasinsky KS
Human Neurochemical Pathology Laboratory (Dr. Kish) and Movement Disorder Research Laboratory (Dr. Furukawa), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto; Department of Pathology (Neuropathology) (Dr. Ang), Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto, Canada; and Division of Forensic Toxicology (S.P. Vorce and Dr. Kalasinsky), Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Washington, DC.
Neurology 2000 Jul 25; 55(2):294-296

ABSTRACT

The authors found that striatal levels of serotonin and those of its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were severely depleted by 50 to 80% in brain of a chronic user of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) whereas concentrations of dopamine were within the normal control range. Our data suggest that MDMA exposure in the human can cause decreased tissue stores of serotonin and therefore some of the behavioral effects of this drug of abuse could be caused by massive release and depletion of brain serotonin.

MDMA
Damage
Evidence
Serotonin
MDMA/m-CPP
MDMA and SSRIs
Alexander Shulgin
Human neurotoxicity
MDMA and dopamine
Ecstasy and immunity
The serotonin syndrome
MDMA: pharmacokinetics
Post-E Prozac protection?
MDMA, MBDB, fenfluramine, and MMAI

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