Parkinsonism after Taking Ecstasy
Scott Mintzer, Susan L. Hickenbottom, Sid Gilman
New England Journal of Medicine May 6, 1999 DOI: 10.1056/nejm199905063401817 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractRecreational use of MDMA (ecstasy) has increased in Europe and the United States. The drug is structurally related to both amphetamine and mescaline and promotes release of serotonin and dopamine. A 29-year-old man developed parkinsonism after repeated use of MDMA, beginning with slight clumsiness in his limbs and progressing to difficulty walking over four weeks.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 29-year-old man |
| Topics | MDMA Mescaline |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Stimulant |
| Citations | 56 |
| Key finding | Parkinsonism developed after repeated use of MDMA. |
Abstract
To the Editor: Recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or “ecstasy”), a hallucinogen, has increased both in Europe and the United States.1 This substance is manufactured in illicit laboratories from a variety of organic ketone precursors. MDMA, which is structurally related both to the stimulant amphetamine and to the hallucinogen mescaline, promotes the release of both serotonin and dopamine from synaptic terminals.2 We report a case of parkinsonism after repeated use of this drug. A 29-year-old man had slight clumsiness of his upper and lower extremities in August 1998. During the following four weeks he began to have difficulty walking and . . .