A Voxel-Based PET Investigation of the Long-Term Effects of “Ecstasy” Consumption on Brain Serotonin Transporters
American Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 2004 Ralph Buchert, Rainer Thomasius, Florian Wilke et al. 183 citations
Repeated use of MDMA (ecstasy) may cause long-lasting changes to the brain's serotonin system, but these changes could be reversible over time. Brain scans using PET show reduced availability of serotonin transporters in people who have used MDMA, suggesting damage to serotonin-producing neurons. The study also finds that women are more vulnerable than men to these MDMA-induced alterations. The findings support the idea that MDMA use leads to protracted changes in the serotonergic system, but the reduced serotonin transporter availability might recover with abstinence.