Selective reduction of striatal type II glucocorticoid receptors in rats by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Martin T. Lowy*, J. Frank Nash, Herbert Y. Meltzer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

A single 20 mg/kg dose of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) administered to rats markedly decreased serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in hippocampus, frontal cortex and striatum seven days following injection. MDMA also significantly decreased type II glucocorticoid receptor levels in the striatum, but not in hippocampus or frontal cortex. Since no difference in basal serum corticosterone levels was observed between the two groups, MDMA may decrease striatal type II glucocorticoid receptors via a corticosterone- independent mechanism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)157-161
Number of pages5
JournalEuropean Journal of Pharmacology
Volume163
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 12 1989

Funding

The research reported was supported in part by USPHS Grants BRSG RR-05410-26 (M.T.L.), RO3 MH 44339 (M.T.L.) and MH 41684 (H.Y.M.). J.F.N. is the recipient of a NARSAD Fellowship extension award. H.Y.M. is the recipient of a USPHS Research Career Scientist Award MH 47808. We are grateful to Ms. Lee Mason for her secretarial assistance in preparing this manuscript.

Keywords

  • 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
  • 5-Hydroxytryptamine
  • Corticosterone
  • Glucocorticoid receptors
  • Neurotoxicity
  • Striatum

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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