Elio Acquas

University of Cagliari

2 papers in the library · 65 citations · publishing 2007-2023

Papers

Differential effects of intravenous R,S‐(±)‐3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) and its S(+)‐ and R(−)‐enantiomers on dopamine transmission and extracellular signal regulated kinase phosphorylation (pERK) in the rat nucleus accumbens shell and core

Journal of Neurochemistry January 22, 2007 Elio Acquas, Augusta Pisanu, Saturnino Spiga et al. 52 citations

The stimulant drug MDMA (Ecstasy) increases dopamine transmission in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region involved in reward. This study in male rats examined how the two mirror-image forms (enantiomers) of MDMA—S(+)-MDMA and R(−)-MDMA—affect dopamine release and a downstream signaling molecule called phosphorylated ERK (pERK) in the shell and core of the nucleus accumbens. Racemic MDMA (the standard mixture) and S(+)-MDMA increased dopamine and pERK levels in a dose-related way, with S(+)-MDMA being more potent. R(−)-MDMA had no effect. Blocking D1 dopamine receptors prevented the pERK increase, while blocking D2/D3 receptors did not. The results indicate that the S(+) enantiomer drives MDMA's dopamine-stimulating effects, and pERK serves as a marker of D1-receptor-mediated dopamine signaling.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2007.04451.x MDMA Ecstasy Microdialysis Pharmacology +4

Withania somnifera influences MDMA-induced hyperthermic, cognitive, neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effects in mice.

Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie May 1, 2023 Giulia Costa, Marcello Serra, Riccardo Maccioni et al. 13 citations

A standardized extract of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), when given acutely alongside MDMA (ecstasy), protects mice from the drug's harmful effects on the brain, body temperature, and memory. MDMA alone caused degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons, inflammation (gliosis), a rise in body temperature, and impaired performance on a novel object recognition task. These effects were not prevented by pretreating mice with the extract for three days before MDMA. However, when the extract was given together with MDMA, it counteracted the loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra, reduced gliosis in the striatum, normalized body temperature, and restored memory performance to levels similar to those of saline-treated controls.

DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114475 Full text Ecstasy Ashwagandha Body temperature Gliosis +2