Of mice and men on MDMA: A translational comparison of the neuropsychobiological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)

• Published in: Brain research 2020-01, Vol.1727, p.146556, Article 146556
• Main Authors: Aguilar, Maria A., García-Pardo, Maria P., Parrott, Andrew C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Brain - drug effects; Cognition; Dopamine - physiology; Human; Humans; MDMA; Mice; N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine - administration & dosage; Negative consequences; Neurotoxicity; Psychomotor Performance - drug effects; Psychotropic Drugs - administration & dosage; Serotonin - physiology; Species Specificity; Translational Medical Research
• ISSN: 0006-8993; 1872-6240
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146556

•Chronic MDMA has different neurochemical consequences in humans and mice.•MDMA alters several physiological functions in both species.•MDMA induces psychomotor alterations and inconsistent prosocial effects.•Chronic MDMA use may induce cognitive deficits and psychiatric disorders.•MDMA has rewarding effects in mice, and some MDMA abusers develop dependence. MDMA (3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine), also known as Ecstasy, is a stimulant drug recreationally used by young adults usually in dance clubs and raves. Acute MDMA administration increases serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline by reversing the action of the monoamine transporters. In this work, we review the studies carried out over the last 30 years on the neuropsychobiological effects of MDMA in humans and mice and summarise the current knowledge. The two species differ with respect to the neurochemical consequences of chronic MDMA, since it preferentially induces serotonergic dysfunction in humans and dopaminergic neurotoxicity in mice. However, MDMA alters brain structure and function and induces hormonal, psychomotor, neurocognitive, psychosocial and psychiatric outcomes in both species, as well as physically damaging and teratogen effects. Pharmacological and genetic studies in mice have increased our knowledge of the neurochemical substrate of the multiple effects of MDMA. Future work in this area may contribute to developing pharmacological treatments for MDMA-related disorders.