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Science 6 September 1985:
Vol. 229. no. 4717, pp. 986 - 988
DOI: 10.1126/science.4023719
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Articles

Science, Vol 229, Issue 4717, 986-988
Copyright © 1985 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Hallucinogenic amphetamine selectively destroys brain serotonin nerve terminals

G Ricaurte, G Bryan, L Strauss, L Seiden, and C Schuster

(+/-)-3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), an amphetamine analog with hallucinogenic activity, produced selective long-lasting reductions in the level of serotonin, the number of serotonin uptake sites, and the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in rat brain. Morphological studies suggested that these neurochemical deficits were due to serotonin nerve terminal degeneration. These results show that MDA has toxic activity for serotonin neurons in rats and raise the question of whether exposure to MDA and related hallucinogenic amphetamines can produce serotonin neurotoxicity in the human brain.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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Is there a case for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in the UK?.
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J Psychopharmacol 21, 220-224
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Symptoms of anxiety and depression in childhood and use of MDMA: prospective, population based study.
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MDMA in humans: factors which affect the neuropsychobiological profiles of recreational ecstasy users, the integrative role of bioenergetic stress.
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Mood, cognition and serotonin transporter availability in current and former ecstasy (MDMA) users: the longitudinal perspective.
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Thioether Metabolites of 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Inhibit Human Serotonin Transporter (hSERT) Function and Simultaneously Stimulate Dopamine Uptake into hSERT-Expressing SK-N-MC Cells.
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The Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy").
A. R. Green, A. O. Mechan, J. M. Elliott, E. O'Shea, and M. I. Colado (2003)
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Effect of Glucoprivation on Serotonin Neurotoxicity Induced by Substituted Amphetamines.
J. Yuan, B. J. Cord, U. D. McCann, B. T. Callahan, and G. A. Ricaurte (2002)
J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 303, 831-839
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Regulation of the Human Norepinephrine Transporter by Cocaine and Amphetamine.
M.-Y. Zhu, S. Shamburger, J. Li, and G. A. Ordway (2000)
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Fatal multi-organ failure after suicidal overdose with MDMA, `Ecstasy': case report and review of the literature.
A Walubo and D Seger (1999)
Human and Experimental Toxicology 18, 119-125
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REVIEW {blacksquare} : Long-lasting Effects of Recreational Drugs of Abuse on the Central Nervous System.
U. D. McCann, K. A. Lowe, and G. A. Ricaurte (1997)
Neuroscientist 3, 399-411
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A Case of Toxic Psychosis Induced by 'Eve' (3,4-Methylenedioxyethylam-phetamine).
E. Gouzoulis, D. Borchardt, and L. Hermle (1993)
Arch Gen Psychiatry 50, 75
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Cloning of a serotonin transporter affected by antidepressants.
B. Hoffman, E Mezey, and M. Brownstein (1991)
Science 254, 579-580
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The Complications of 'Ecstasy' (MDMA).
K. Verebey, J. Alrazi, and J. H. Jaffe (1988)
JAMA 259, 1649-1650
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New data intensify the agony over ecstasy.
D. Barnes (1988)
Science 239, 864-866
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'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' A Report of Five Deaths Associated With the Use of MDEA and MDMA.
G. P. Dowling, E. T. McDonough III, and R. O. Bost (1987)
JAMA 257, 1615-1617
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