Exposing pregnant mice to MDMA from gestation through weaning did not affect birth rates but significantly reduced pup survival and body weight gain from postnatal day 3 to 21. Pups also showed weaker cliff avoidance and poorer motor function on a wire hanging test, indicating growth retardation and motor neuron dysfunction. These findings suggest that MDMA use during pregnancy and lactation may harm offspring development.
MDMA, MDA, and diphenylprolinol (a recreational drug similar to pipradrol) caused dose-dependent cell death in PC12 cells, with IC50 values ranging from 0.77 mM to 4.11 mM. At low toxic concentrations, these drugs significantly suppressed nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth. The findings suggest that these psychoactive recreational drugs may inhibit neurite growth, potentially contributing to their neurotoxic effects.