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Reduced in vivo binding to the serotonin transporter in the cerebral cortex of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) users

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

David M. Semple ,
Klaus P. Ebmeier ,
Michael F. Glabus ,
Ronan E. O'Carroll  and
Eve C. Johnstone
David M. Semple*
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
Klaus P. Ebmeier
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
Michael F. Glabus
Affiliation:
Brain Metabolism Unit and Department of Medical Physics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Ronan E. O'Carroll
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA
Eve C. Johnstone
Affiliation:
University Department of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
*
Professor K. P. Ebmeier, MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
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Abstract

Background

The use of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) is common among young people in Western countries. Animal models of MDMA toxicity suggest a loss of serotonergic neurons, and potentially implicate it in the development of significant psychiatric morbidity in humans.

Aims

To test whether long-term use of MDMA can produce abnormalities in cerebral serotonin, but not dopamine, transporter binding measured by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Method

Ten male regular ecstasy users and 10 well-matched controls recruited from the same community sources participated in SPECT with the serotonin transporter (SEPT) ligand [123I]-CIT. Dopamine transporter binding was determined from scans acquired 23 hours after injection of the tracer.

Results

Ecstasy users showed a cortical reduction of SERT binding, particularly prominent in primary sensory-motor cortex, with normal dopamine transporter binding in lenticular nuclei.

Conclusions

This cross-sectional association study provides suggestive evidence for specific, at least temporary, serotonergic neurotoxicity of MDMA in humans.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 175 , Issue 1 , July 1999 , pp. 63 - 69
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

Funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council.

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