Brain serotonin transporter binding in former users of MDMA (‘ecstasy’)

Former MDMA users show no significant difference in serotonin transporter binding compared to non-users, suggesting that recreational MDMA use may not cause long-term damage to serotonin neurons in humans. The study measured serotonin transporter binding with PET imaging in 12 former MDMA users, 9 polydrug users who never took MDMA, and 19 controls with no illicit drug history. No differences in binding potential were found across any brain regions examined. These results challenge concerns from animal studies that MDMA use leads to persistent serotonin neurotoxicity in humans.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background Animal experimental studies have prompted concerns that widespread use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ‘ecstasy’) by young people may pose a major public health problem in terms of persistent serotonin neurotoxicity. Aims To determine the status of brain serotonin neurons in a group of abstinent MDMA users. Method We assessed the integrity of brain serotonin neurons by measuring serotonin transporter (SERT) binding using positron emission tomography (PET) and [ 11 C]DASB in 12 former MDMA users, 9 polydrug users who had never taken MDMA and 19 controls who reported no history of illicit drug use. Results There was no significant difference in the binding potential of [ 11 C]DASB between the groups in any of the brain regions examined. Conclusions To the extent that [ 11 C]DASB binding provides an index of the integrity of serotonin neurons, our findings suggest that MDMA use may not result in long-term damage to serotonin neurons when used recreationally in humans.