The Effects of Chronic Administration of 3,4- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy") on Neural Pathways of the Heart in Conscious Rats
Loading...
Authors
Lee, Anthony
Issue Date
1997
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or
"Ecstasy") has been recently growing in popularity with
college students through dance parties called "raves",
despite it's Schedule I status from the U.S. Drug
enforcement agency. MDMA has been found to be a
neurotoxin in the brain to every animal studied to date
(which causes concern for recreational abuse). The
extent of serotonergic (5-HT) neurotoxicity in the brain
is well documented, and MDMA even affects dopamine levels
in the brain at high doses. Serotonin is also used as a
neurotransmitter in neural pathways of the heart, and
this in vivo study gives a preliminary examination on
whether MDMA is affecting sympathetic (5-HT) activation
of the heart through the Bezold-Jarish reflex of
conscious rats. In addition, the study examines whether
MDMA's neurotoxic affects increase or decrease the
sensitivity of acetylcholine on the Bezold-Jarish reflex.
The results indicate that evidence of 5-HT neurotoxicity
in the brain, there does not appear to be any affect on
the sympathetic (5-HT) activation of the heart.
Moreover, MDMA does not increase or decrease sensitivity
of acetylcholine in the Bezold-Jarish reflex. However,
MDMA appears to affect the alpha-2 receptors (receptors
responsible for Ketamine/Xylazine anesthetic) in rats.
After chronic administration of MDMA, many rats did not
survive surgery. Thus, MDMA may be altering alpha-2
receptors in a way so that Ketamine/Xylazine anesthetized
animals cannot regain consciousness with injection of
Yohimbine.
Description
vi, 25 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.