A new study conducted in two species of monkeys revises upward the risks of taking ecstasy. Only two or three doses of Ecstasy succeeding on a few hours could raise the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease or other neurological disorders. Indeed, in monkeys, two or three successive doses of Ecstasy, or MDMA, equivalent to what are the youth during a rave party, not only produce serotonin neurotoxicity moderate we already knew, but also, and again, neurotoxicity dopaminergic impairment.
“The most disturbing implication of this result is that, in consequence dopaminergic lesions induced by MDMA, young adults may increase their risk of developing more than one parkinsonian syndrome, whose symptoms are similar to those of the disease Parkinson, said in a statement Dr. George Ricaurte, the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who led the study.
Ecstasy, whose scientific acronym MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) is a euphoriant drugs become extremely popular, particularly at rave parties. Young ravers, whereas the drug Ecstasy as a non-dangerous, take often multiple doses during a single night. We previously thought, according to animal studies, that ecstasy does damage occurred on the serotonergic neurons (neurotoxicity Selective serotonin), neurons involved in mood and behavior. He remained in doubt on whether toxic doses in animals were comparable to doses taken humans.
Three doses at three hour intervals
Ricaurte et al. undertook their study to clarify the question.Ils evaluated in monkeys (monkeys “squirrel”) the effect of three successive administrations of MDMA (2 mg / kg) given three hours apart. This is equivalent to how many ravers take Ecstasy during a night rave party. Two to six weeks after This exhibition, a battery of tests revealed the presence not only a moderate serotonin neurotoxicity, but also dopaminergic neurotoxicity severe, including monkeys that had received two doses. Surprised by these results, Researchers repeated the experiment in baboons, and the results were the same.
In another experiment, researchers gave the monkeys one weeks before and one week after taking ecstasy dose of AMPT (alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine). The AMPT reduced gradually concentration of brain dopamine and simulates the decline progressive dopaminergic function that occurs with age. The researchers found that after the Ecstasy the AMPT causes significantly more motor deficits before the administration Ecstasy, which suggests that ecstasy may also interfere with motor skills of aging men.
Previous studies in monkeys have generally used higher doses of MDMA (5 to 10 mg / kg) were administered two twice daily for four days. These regimens engendered toxicity more severe but highly selective toward neurons serotonin, and had no lasting effect on dopaminergic neurons. Since these regimens do not resemble those found among most users of ecstasy, he remained possible that casual users are not at risk of nerve injury.
Even once
“The present results indicate that even individuals who take Ecstasy once could be a risk of brain injury important, they take two or three successive doses a few hours apart, “the researchers note.
“The brain dopaminergic neural injury, coupled with declining dopaminergic function with age, could give these individuals a increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease and other neuropsychiatric disorders with deficits in brain dopamine / serotonin either young adults or later in life, “conclude the researchers.
The neurotoxicity of ecstasy should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonian syndrome in young adults. “We can not be completely sure that animal data to generalize to men, “notes a statement in Dr. Ricaurte. “But we are building on what we know about MDMA is our major concern. “This study highlights the multifaceted damage that may occur in ecstasy users’ comments to share Dr. Alan Leshner, former director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. “We know from long as the repeated use of Ecstasy harms brain cells to serotonin. This study shows that even very occasional use can have lasting effects on many different brain systems. This sends an important message youth: “Do not experiment with your own brain”.