The mechanisms involved in the long‐lasting neuroprotective effect of fluoxetine against MDMA (‘ecstasy’)‐induced degeneration of 5‐HT nerve endings in rat brain
British Journal of Pharmacology September 1, 2001 Violeta Sánchez Sánchez, Jorge Camarero, B. Moreno Esteban et al. 103 citations
Fluoxetine provides long-lasting protection against MDMA-induced damage to serotonin nerve endings in rat brain, while fluvoxamine only protects when given at the same time. MDMA caused loss of serotonin and its metabolite in cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, and reduced paroxetine binding one week later. Fluoxetine given with MDMA or up to four days before offered complete protection, and significant protection when given seven days before. Fluvoxamine required concurrent administration. Fluoxetine's protection appears due to its and its active metabolite's inhibition of the serotonin transporter, not by altering MDMA accumulation or metabolism.