Investigating the potential neurotoxicity of Ecstasy (MDMA): an imaging approach
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001 Liesbeth Reneman, Jan Booij, Charles B.l.m. Majoie et al. 50 citations
Human users of MDMA (Ecstasy) may be at risk of developing MDMA-induced neuronal injury. Previously, no methods were available for directly evaluating neurotoxic effects in the living human brain, but the development of in vivo neuroimaging tools has begun to provide insights. This review highlights contributions of brain imaging studies on the potential neurotoxic effects of MDMA and functional consequences. An overview of PET, SPECT, and MR spectroscopy studies shows evidence of neuronal injury in MDMA users. Different neuroimaging tools have investigated potential functional consequences of MDMA-induced 5-HT neurotoxic lesions. Brain imaging will play a crucial role in understanding MDMA's short- and long-term effects in the human brain.