Dextromethorphan moderates reward deficiency associated with central serotonin transporter availability in 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine-treated animals.
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA May 1, 2024 Chuang-Hsin Chiu, Kuo-Hsing Ma, Eagle Yi-Kung Huang et al. 4 citations
Chronic MDMA use damages serotonin transporters (SERT) in the brain, which is linked to addiction and impaired decision-making. In rats, the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DM) partially reversed this damage: co-administration with MDMA restored SERT binding by about 23% after 14 days compared to MDMA alone. Behavioral tests showed that MDMA-induced reward and hyperactivity were associated with lower SERT activity, and DM helped restore both SERT levels and serotonin fiber density. The findings suggest DM may protect against MDMA's neurotoxic effects on the brain's reward and motivation circuits.