Direct effects of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on serotonin or dopamine release and uptake in the caudate putamen, nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra pars reticulata, and the dorsal raphé nucleus slices
Synapse April 27, 2000 Mahmoud M. Iravani, Daniel Asari, Jyoti C. Patel et al. 56 citations
MDMA does not directly cause the release of serotonin or dopamine in brain slices from rats, contrary to some earlier assumptions. Instead, it acts as a potent inhibitor of the reuptake of both neurotransmitters, slowing their removal from the synapse. MDMA also potentiated electrically stimulated serotonin release in the substantia nigra pars reticulata and dopamine release in the caudate putamen, but had no effect on stimulated release in the dorsal raphé nucleus or nucleus accumbens. These findings clarify MDMA's mechanism of action as distinct from that of amphetamine.