Chronic Neurotoxic Damage Induced by Ecstasy

The misuse of the synthetic drug ecstasy is widespread in western industrial nations and poses a problem to health policy. Apart from the euphorizing effects appreciated by users, an increasing number of cases with adverse side effects up to acute psychiatric disorders have been reported. Moreover ecstasy may lead to lasting psychiatric disorders. Numerous animal experiments indicate that different amphetamine analogues are neurotoxic. The main psychotropic agent of ecstasy methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) seems to have a selective neurotoxic effect on the serotonergic system. Neurochemical investigations and functional neuroimaging studies in humans suggest alterations of central nervous function after ecstasy use lasting weeks to months. In several studies ecstasy users exhibited neurocognitive deficits as a result of neurotoxic lesions.

Source: Deutsches Ärzteblatt 98, Heft 47 vom 23.11.01, Seite A-3132