Ecstasy (MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB) consumption, seizures, related offences,                 prices, dosage levels and deaths in the UK (1994–2003)

Schifano, Fabrizio; Corkery, John; Deluca, Paolo; Oyefeso, Adenekan; Ghodse, A. Hamid

doi:10.1177/0269881106060147

Cited by 70 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…To this end, a typical dose of MDMA used for discrimination training in rats is 1.5 mg/kg ip (Schechter, 1988, Glennon andHiggs, 1992). Interestingly, human subjects discriminate this same dose administered orally in an experimental setting (Johanson et al, 2006), and recreational doses are in the range of 1-3 mg/kg (Cole et al, 2002, Schifano et al, 2006. When 1.5 mg/kg MDMA was given to rats undergoing microdialysis, extracellular levels of 5-HT in n. accumbens were elevated 5-fold above baseline while DA levels were not affected (Fig.…”

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confidence: 99%

Tolerance to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats exposed to single high-dose binges

et al. 2008

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Abstract3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy) stimulates the transporter-mediated release of monoamines, including serotonin (5-HT). High-dose exposure to MDMA causes persistent 5-HT deficits (e.g., depletion of brain 5-HT) in animals, yet the functional and clinical relevance of such deficits are poorly defined. Here we examine functional consequences of MDMA-induced 5-HT depletions in rats. Male rats received binges of 3 ip injections of MDMA or saline, one injection every 2 h; MDMA was given at a threshold pharmacological dose (1.5 mg/kg × 3, low dose) or at a 5-fold higher amount (7.5 mg/kg × 3, high dose). One week later, jugular catheters and intracerebral guide cannulae were implanted. Two weeks after binges, rats received acute iv challenge injections of 1 and 3 mg/kg MDMA. Neuroendocrine effects evoked by iv MDMA (prolactin and corticosterone secretion) were assessed via serial blood sampling, while neurochemical effects (5-HT and dopamine release) were assessed via microdialysis in brain. MDMA binges elevated core temperatures only in the high-dose group, with these same rats exhibiting ~50% loss of forebrain 5-HT two weeks later. Prior exposure to MDMA did not alter baseline plasma hormones or dialysate monoamines, and effects of iv MDMA were similar in saline and low-dose groups. By contrast, rats pretreated with high-dose MDMA displayed significant reductions in evoked hormone secretion and 5-HT release when challenged with iv MDMA. As tolerance developed only in rats exposed to high-dose binges, hyperthermia and 5-HT depletion are implicated in this phenomenon. Our results suggest that MDMA tolerance in humans may reflect 5-HT deficits which could contribute to further dose escalation. KeywordsEcstasy; serotonin; dopamine; transporter; neuroendocrine; microdialysis (±)-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or Ecstasy) is an illicit drug that stimulates transporter-mediated release of monoamines from neurons (White et al., 1996, Address correspondence to: Michael H. Baumann, Ph.D., IRP, NIDA, NIH, DHHS, 333 Cassell Drive, Suite 4500, Baltimore, MD 21224, Tel. 410 550-1754, Fax. 410 550-2997.nih.gov. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptNeuroscience. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2008 May 21. Published in final edited form as:Neuroscience. 2008 March 27; 152(3): 773-784. NIH-PA Author ManuscriptNIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript Green et al., 2003). High-dose administration of MDMA to rats causes impairments in central serotonin (5-HT) neurons, including inhibition of tryptoph...

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confidence: 99%

Tolerance to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats exposed to single high-dose binges

et al. 2008

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“…In spite of the increasing prevalence of MDMA abuse (Schifano et al, 2006), there is considerable debate about the mode of action of the drug (Lyvers, 2006). One of the main limitations in assessing the physiological effects of illegal MDMA drug abuse in humans is the unknown purity of the ingested substance.…”

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confidence: 99%

Comparative potencies of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogues as inhibitors of [³H]noradrenaline and [³H]5‐HT transport in mammalian cell lines

Montgomery

Buon

Eibauer

et al. 2007

British J Pharmacology

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Background and purpose: Illegal 'ecstasy' tablets frequently contain 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-like compounds of unknown pharmacological activity. Since monoamine transporters are one of the primary targets of MDMA action in the brain, a number of MDMA analogues have been tested for their ability to inhibit [ 3 H]noradrenaline uptake into rat PC12 cells expressing the noradrenaline transporter (NET) and [ 3 H]5-HT uptake into HEK293 cells stably transfected with the 5-HT transporter (SERT). Experimental approach: Concentration-response curves for the following compounds at both NET and SERT were determined under saturating substrate conditions: 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-hydroxyamphetamine (MDOH), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenylethylamine (2CB), 3,4-dimethoxymethamphetamine (DMMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-butanamine (BDB), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-N-methyl-2-butanamine (MBDB) and 2,3-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2,3-MDMA). Key results: 2,3-MDMA was significantly less potent than MDMA at SERT, but equipotent with MDMA at NET. 2CB and BDB were both significantly less potent than MDMA at NET, but equipotent with MDMA at SERT. MBDB, DMMA, MDOH and the MDMA metabolites HMA and HMMA, were all significantly less potent than MDMA at both NET and SERT. Conclusions and implications:This study provides an important insight into the structural requirements of MDMA analogue affinity at both NET and SERT. It is anticipated that these results will facilitate understanding of the likely pharmacological actions of structural analogues of MDMA.

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“…Prices were relatively consistent across regions, with average prices being slightly higher in Montreal ($9.82) than the rest of (Schifano et al, 2006). However a comparison of prices from this sample to other regions is limited, as our data does not provide information per gram and therefore can only be compared to studies that have examined the price of the drug per tablet and not based on the drug's purity.…”

Section: Sources Of Synthetic Drug Tabletsmentioning

confidence: 83%

Precursors and Prices

Ouellet

Morselli

2013

Journal of Drug Issues

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Research gathered on synthetic drug markets trails behind studies on other illegal drug markets. Synthetic drug's relatively recent classification as an illicit substance, coupled with its distinct characteristics that insulate it from detection has hindered the development of reliable assessments of the markets structural features. The purpose of this study is to provide reliable insight into the inner dynamics of Quebec's synthetic drug industry, focusing on its organizational features. Using information derived from 365 synthetic drugs seized by law enforcement over a one year period, this study will merge two techniques, drug composition and economic analyses, under a common framework to derive reliable and comprehensive assessments of the structure of Quebec's synthetic drug market. Drug composition analysis examines the drug's chemical and physical profile to make inferences about the market structure while the economic analysis examines price determinants for the same market, providing further insight into its dynamics and distinctive features. Findings from the drug composition analysis indicate that the synthetic drug market in Quebec is likely to be composed of a high number of small structures, indicating a competitive market. The economic analysis provided complementary information, finding that both differential production costs and trafficker-consumer relations may influence price variations, depending on the region. This study concludes by emphasizing that drug composition analysis should be diligently pursued by both researchers and enforcement organizations alike to effectively target and enhance our understanding of the intricate processes that underlie the synthetic drug market. iv

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Ecstasy (MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB) consumption, seizures, related offences, prices, dosage levels and deaths in the UK (1994–2003)

Cited by 70 publications

References 30 publications

Tolerance to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats exposed to single high-dose binges

Tolerance to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats exposed to single high-dose binges

Comparative potencies of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogues as inhibitors of [³H]noradrenaline and [³H]5‐HT transport in mammalian cell lines

Precursors and Prices

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Ecstasy (MDMA, MDA, MDEA, MBDB) consumption, seizures, related offences, prices, dosage levels and deaths in the UK (1994–2003)

Cited by 70 publications

References 30 publications

Tolerance to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats exposed to single high-dose binges

Tolerance to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in rats exposed to single high-dose binges

Comparative potencies of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogues as inhibitors of [3H]noradrenaline and [3H]5‐HT transport in mammalian cell lines

Precursors and Prices

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Comparative potencies of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogues as inhibitors of [³H]noradrenaline and [³H]5‐HT transport in mammalian cell lines