No Influence of Dopamine System Gene Variations on Acute Effects of MDMA
Patrick Vizeli, Matthias E. Liechti
Frontiers in Psychiatry October 24, 2019 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00755 via DOAJ
Summary
The study investigated whether genetic variants in dopamine system genes affect how individuals respond to MDMA, a substance known for its mood-enhancing effects. In a pooled analysis of data from 149 healthy subjects, no significant differences were found in the subjective and autonomic responses to MDMA based on the tested genetic polymorphisms. This suggests that genetic variations in these genes do not account for differences in how people experience the acute effects of MDMA.
Study at a glance
| Design | randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 149 |
| Population | healthy subjects |
| Key finding | Genetic variations in dopamine system genes are unlikely to explain interindividual variations in the acute effects of MDMA. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is a recreational substance also investigated as medication for posttraumatic stress disorder. Dopamine (DA) system stimulation likely contributes to the acute mood effects of amphetamines, including MDMA. Genetic variants, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and polymorphic regions of the DA system genes may in part explain interindividual differences in the acute responses to MDMA in humans. We characterized the effects of common genetic variants within genes coding for key players in the DA system including the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2/ANKK1 rs1800497, DRD2 rs6277, and rs107959), the dopamine transporter (DAT1 rs28363170, rs3836790, rs6347, rs11133767, rs11564774, rs460000, and rs463379), and dopamine D4 receptor [DRD4, variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR)] on the subjective and autonomic response to MDMA (125 mg) in pooled data from randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover studies in a total of 149 healthy subjects. Plasma concentrations of MDMA were used as covariate in the analysis to control for individual pharmacokinetic (metabolic and weight) differences. None of the tested genetic polymorphisms within the DA system altered effects of MDMA when adjusting for multiple comparisons. Genetic variations in genes coding for players of the DA system are unlikely to explain interindividual variations in the acute effects of MDMA in humans.