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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Presynaptic Dopamine Dynamics in Striatal Brain Slices with Fast-scan Cyclic Voltammetry
Published on: January 12, 2012
Is frequent dosing with ecstasy a risky business for dopamine-containing neurons?
Esther O'Shea1, M Isabel Colado
1Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Avda Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain. estheros@farm.ucm.es
Abstract:
Over the past 20 years 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; also known as 'ecstasy') has become a widely used recreational drug of abuse. However, studies have indicated that it is neurotoxic to serotonergic nerve terminals in rats and non-human primates and dopaminergic nerve terminals in mice. Recently, this tenet has been questioned following a study suggesting that MDMA can cause toxicity to dopamine-containing neurons in monkeys. In this article, the factors contributing to this change in neurotoxic profile are discussed.
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