In Vivo Imaging of Cerebral Serotonin Transporter and Serotonin2A Receptor Binding in 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or “Ecstasy”) and Hallucinogen Users
Archives of General Psychiatry June 6, 2011 David Erritzøe, Vibe G. Frøkjær, Klaus K. Holst et al. 86 citations
MDMA use, but not hallucinogen use, is linked to changes in the brain's presynaptic serotonin system. Because hallucinogens primarily act on serotonin 2A receptors, the negative association between MDMA use and serotonin transporter (SERT) binding is likely due to MDMA's direct presynaptic effect rather than its serotonin 2A agonistic actions. Cross-sectional data suggest that subcortical, but not cortical, SERT binding may recover after several months of MDMA abstinence.