Sub-acute effects of MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, "ecstasy") on mood: evidence of gender differences

Verheyden, Suzanne L.; Hadfield, J. A.; Calin, Tara; Curran, Valerie H.

doi:10.1007/s00213-001-0995-9

Cited by 101 publications

(133 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Curran and her colleagues have found that these effects are manifested not only by enhanced sociality while under the influence of the drug, but also by decreased aggressiveness (Curran et al, 2004;Verheyden et al, 2002). However, the same studies showed that aggressive mood was elevated during the mid-week period following a weekend of Ecstasy use, a phenomenon that could be related to MDMA-induced depletion of 5-HT (Krakowski, 2003;Miczek et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Dissociation of the Neurochemical and Behavioral Toxicology of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) by Citalopram

Piper

Fraiman

Owens

et al. 2007

Neuropsychopharmacol

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High or repeated doses of the recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or 'Ecstasy') produce long-lasting deficits in several markers of serotonin (5-HT) system integrity and also alter behavioral function. However, it is not yet clear whether MDMA-induced serotonergic neurotoxicity is responsible for these behavioral changes or whether other mechanisms are involved. The present experiment tested the hypothesis that blocking serotonergic neurotoxicity by pretreatment with the selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor citalopram will also prevent the behavioral and physiological consequences of an MDMA binge administration. Male, SpragueDawley rats (N ¼ 67) received MDMA (4 Â 10 mg/kg) with or without citalopram (10 mg/kg) pretreatment. Core temperature, ejaculatory response, and body weight were monitored during and immediately following drug treatments. A battery of tests assessing motor, cognitive, exploratory, anxiety, and social behaviors was completed during a 10-week period following MDMA administration. Brain tissue was collected at 1 and 10 weeks after drug treatments for measurement of regional 5-HT transporter binding and (for the 1-week samples) 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations. Citalopram pretreatment blocked MDMA-related reductions in aggressive and exploratory behavior measured in the social interaction and hole-board tests respectively. Such pretreatment also had the expected protective effect against MDMA-induced 5-HT neurotoxicity at 1 week following the binge. In contrast, citalopram did not prevent most of the acute effects of MDMA (eg hyperthermia and weight loss), nor did it block the decreased motor activity seen in the binge-treated animals 1 day after dosing. These results suggest that some of the behavioral and physiological consequences of a high-dose MDMA regimen in rats are mediated by mechanisms other than the drug's effects on the serotonergic system. Elucidation of these mechanisms requires further study of the influence of MDMA on other neurotransmitter systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Dissociation of the Neurochemical and Behavioral Toxicology of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) by Citalopram

Piper

Fraiman

Owens

et al. 2007

Neuropsychopharmacol

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“…Female MDMA users do report greater subjective (and aversive) effects of acute MDMA and greater midweek letdown after use when they receive doses comparable to males (Liechti et al 2001;Topp et al 1999;Verheyden et al 2002). However, such studies are complicated by sex differences in preexisting psychiatric disorders as well as polydrug abuse that is typical for MDMA users (Milani et al 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women report greater subjective effects of the drug, including greater thought disturbances, perceptual changes, and fear of loss of body control (Liechti et al 2001) and more midweek low after weekend use (Verheyden et al 2002). In contrast, men experience greater increases in blood pressure (Liechti et al 2001).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex differences in the neurochemical and functional effects of MDMA in Sprague–Dawley rats

et al. 2006

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Rationale 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy") use has been associated with acute toxicities and persistent depletion of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT). Objectives This study investigates whether sex differences in the acute and long-term effects of MDMA exist. Methods Male and female rats received saline or 15 mg/kg MDMA, ip, bid for 4 days. Temperature was monitored on days 1 and 4. Locomotor activity was measured in a second cohort of animals on days 1 and 4 and after recovery on day 14. The effects of MDMA on performance in a plus maze task and brain levels of serotonin (5-HT) and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in a third cohort of animals 2 weeks after the last MDMA treatment. Results Locomotor activity and temperature increased after MDMA administration on day 1. The drug-induced increases in temperature but not locomotion attenuated with repeated MDMA administration. Male and female MDMA-treated rats spent less time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and had less 5-HT and 5-HIAA in all brain regions 2 weeks after the end of treatment. Temperature effects of MDMA and persistent effects on plus maze and brain serotonin content were similar in males and females. In contrast, females exhibited markedly greater locomotor stimulation after acute MDMA and also showed sensitization to an acute challenge 2 weeks later. Conclusions MDMA elicits substantially greater locomotor activation in female rats than in males, but persistent effects on anxiety and serotonin content were similar in males and females.

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“…Reneman et al (2001) reported a stronger dose-dependent reduction in 5-HT binding ratios in female than in male MDMA users. Finally, Verheyden et al (2002) reported higher depression scores in females several days following weekend use of MDMA. In this study, both men and women reported increased self-rated aggression.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Impaired executive function in male MDMA (?ecstasy?) users

et al. 2004

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Impaired executive function in male MDMA ("ecstacy") usersAlting von Geusau, N.; Stalenhoef, P.; Huizinga, M.; Snel, J.; Ridderinkhof, K.R. Published in: Psychopharmacology DOI:10.1007/s00213-004-1832-8 Link to publication Citation for published version (APA):Alting von Geusau, N., Stalenhoef, P., Huizinga, M., Snel, J., & Ridderinkhof, K. R. (2004). Impaired executive function in male MDMA ("ecstacy") users. Psychopharmacology, 175(3), 331-341. DOI: 10.1007/s00213-004-1832-8 General rightsIt is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulationsIf you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: http://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible. Download date: 11 May 2018Psychopharmacology (2004) Methods: MDMA users and controls who abstained from ecstasy and other substances for at least 2 weeks were tested with a computerized cognitive test battery to assess their abilities on tasks that measure the three submodalities of executive function, and their combined contribution on two more complex executive tasks. Because of sex-differential effects of MDMA reported in the literature, data from males and females were analyzed separately. Results: Male MDMA users performed significantly worse on the tasks that tap on cognitive flexibility and on the combined executive function tasks; no differences were found on the other cognitive tasks. Female users showed no impairments on any of the tasks.Conclusions: The present data suggest that a history of MDMA use selectively impairs executive function. In male users, cognitive flexibility was impaired and increased perseverative behavior was observed. The inability to adjust behavior rapidly and flexibly may have repercussions for daily life activities.

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Sub-acute effects of MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, "ecstasy") on mood: evidence of gender differences

Abstract: Women are more susceptible than men to mid-week low mood following weekend use of MDMA; however, both men and women show increased self-rated aggression. These results are interpreted in terms of an attenuation of 5-HT function for a period following acute use of MDMA.

Cited by 101 publications

References 41 publications

Dissociation of the Neurochemical and Behavioral Toxicology of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) by Citalopram

Dissociation of the Neurochemical and Behavioral Toxicology of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) by Citalopram

Sex differences in the neurochemical and functional effects of MDMA in Sprague–Dawley rats

Impaired executive function in male MDMA (?ecstasy?) users

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