Serotonin 5-HT2BReceptors Are Required for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-Induced Hyperlocomotion and 5-HT ReleaseIn VivoandIn Vitro
Journal of Neuroscience March 12, 2008 Stéphane Doly, Emmanuel Valjent, Vincent Setola et al. 140 citations
The club drug MDMA (ecstasy) primarily causes serotonin release by reversing the serotonin transporter. This study in mice shows that blocking or removing the 5-HT2B receptor completely stops MDMA-induced hyperactivity and serotonin release in key brain regions (nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area). The 5-HT2B receptor acts presynaptically to regulate MDMA-stimulated serotonin release, a previously unknown role. These findings suggest that 5-HT2B receptor antagonists could be promising treatments for MDMA abuse.