MDMA methylenedioxymethamphetamine positive effects

A fatal interaction between ritonavir and MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy) has been reported in an HIV-positive man (see Henry et ah, 1998). The patient had allegedly taken MDMA on several occasions without untoward effects. However, several weeks after ritonavir was added to his regular medication with zidovudine and lamivudine, he took some MDMA for recreational purposes and died of a cardiorespiratory arrest within hours. Toxicology showed that the plasma MDMA concentration was about ten times that expected from the ingested dose. Inhibition of CYP2D6, the principal pathway for MDMA metabolism, by ritonavir was thought to be the most likely cause. 

Ongoing experiments with methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) show a systematic dose-dependent decrease in attack and threat behavior in mice confronting an intruder into their homecage (Miczek et al., unpublished observations). The decrement in aggressive behavior appears to be behaviorally specific it is obtained at MDMA doses (0.3, 1, 3 mg/kg) that are lower than those necessary to decrease measures of conditioned performance under the control of schedules of positive reinforcement. Because of species-dependent neurotoxicity, MDMA s effects on aggressive behavior need to be explored in other species, including primates. 

A study of the behavioral and neurochemical effects of the putative serotonergic neurotoxicant methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or dexfenfluramine in rhesus macaques failed to reveal any effects on shortterm memory, motivation learning, and color and position discrimination (Frederick et al. 1995, 1998). 

Amphetamine and methamphetamine possess an essentially pure psychostimulant effect however, substituted derivatives in position 3 and 4 on benzene ring are defined as entactogene [14], This class of substances includes methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methylenedioxyethyl-amphetamine (MDEA), and others such as the /V-melhyl-l-(3-4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine (MBDB), methoxymethylenedioxyam-phetamine (MMDA) (Fig. 4). All of these substances are more active in the d form. There are also amphetamine-like substances which combine sympathomimetic (euphoric) and hallucinogen effects they are primary amines, trisubstituted on the benzene ring, that produce effects similar to mescaline. Among these the 2,5-dime-thoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM) is the most important. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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