TY - JOUR
T1 - Ecstasy (MDMA)-addicted subjects show increased serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, independently from a rise of drug-induced psychotic symptoms
AU - Angelucci, Francesco
AU - Ricci, Valerio
AU - Martinotti, Giovanni
AU - Palladino, Ilaria
AU - Spalletta, Gianfranco
AU - Caltagirone, Carlo
AU - Bria, Pietro
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - The recreational drug 'ecstasy' [3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)] exerts a potent action on central serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. These neurons utilize neurotrophins for their survival and function. In order to explore MDMA effects on neurotrophins, we measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in 'ecstasy-addicted', 'ecstasy-addicted with signs of psychosis' and 'healthy' subjects. We found that BDNF serum levels were significantly increased in both groups of 'ecstasy-addicted' as compared with 'healthy subjects', supporting the hypothesis that BDNF is involved in MDMA action.
AB - The recreational drug 'ecstasy' [3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)] exerts a potent action on central serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. These neurons utilize neurotrophins for their survival and function. In order to explore MDMA effects on neurotrophins, we measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in 'ecstasy-addicted', 'ecstasy-addicted with signs of psychosis' and 'healthy' subjects. We found that BDNF serum levels were significantly increased in both groups of 'ecstasy-addicted' as compared with 'healthy subjects', supporting the hypothesis that BDNF is involved in MDMA action.
KW - Addiction
KW - BDNF
KW - Ecstasy
KW - MDMA
KW - NGF
KW - Psychosis
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2010.00221.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2010.00221.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 20477754
AN - SCOPUS:77953214519
VL - 15
SP - 365
EP - 367
JO - Addiction Biology
JF - Addiction Biology
SN - 1355-6215
IS - 3
ER -