2 papers in the library · 49 citations · publishing 2014-2016
PLoS One December 31, 2014 I-Hsun Li, Kuo-Hsing Ma, Shao-Ju Weng et al. 40 citations
Autophagy activation contributes to the neurotoxicity caused by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, or 'ecstasy') in cultured cortical neurons.
PLoS ONE June 10, 2016 Chuang-Hsin Chiu, Tiing-Yee Siow, Shao-Ju Weng et al. 9 citations
MDMA (Ecstasy) damages the fine serotonergic axons that connect the raphe nucleus to the striatum, a disruption previously inferred but not directly observed in living animals. Using manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) in rats, the study tracked manganese ions injected into the raphe nucleus as they traveled along neural pathways. Eight days after repeated MDMA injections (5 mg/kg daily for six days), MEMRI showed reduced signal enhancement in the medial forebrain bundle and striatum, indicating disrupted axonal transport. Immunohistological staining confirmed a loss of serotonin transporters. The findings provide direct in vivo evidence that MDMA causes axonal damage in these serotonergic projections.