Vollenweider Quednow
Fakultäten » Medizinische Fakultät » Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik » Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Klinik für » Prof. Dr. Daniel Hell (emeritiert) » Vollenweider Quednow
Completed research project
| Title / Titel | Investigation of serotonergic neurotransmission in ecstasy (MDMA) users employing dexfenfluramine and positron emission tomography: a functional probe to assess MDMA neurotoxicity | ||||||||
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| Abstract (PDF, 14 KB) | |||||||||
| Summary / Zusammenfassung | The primary aim of this study is to further clarify the potential neurotoxic effects of long-term MDMA use on serotonergic neurons in the human brain and its consequences upon cognitive functions. This aim is accomplished by investigating the functional integrity of the serotonin (5-HT) system in recreational ecstasy users by means of positron emission tomographic (PET) brain imaging using the radioligand [18F]-altanserin and 5-HT challenge with dexfenfluramine. Specifically, in a placebo-controlled study, the 5-HT release capacity of serotonergic neurons (functional integrity) is investigated by assessing [18F]-altanserin binding to 5-HT2A receptors following dexfenfluramine challenge in former and continuing MDMA users, and age and sex-matched MDMA-naïve controls. A second aim is to detect possible impairments of cognitive functions and to study their relationship to serotonin neurotransmission as indexed by PET. Therefore all subjects are also tested by a series of cognitive tasks before and following 5-HT release in order to reveal potential sequelae of MDMA use on cognitive performance. The novel combination of PET imaging technique and dexfenfluramine challenge extends current receptor mapping techniques and provides a more direct biological marker of in vivo serotonin function relevant to the issue of MDMA neurotoxicity. By investigating both current and former ecstasy users, we aim to learn whether - and to what extent - the hypothesized serotonin deficiency syndrome is reversible after cessation of MDMA use. To date (November 2008), all experimental investigations are completed and detailed data analysis is ongoing. | ||||||||
| Keywords / Suchbegriffe | 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA, Ecstasy, Neurotoxicity, Serotonin, Dexfenfluramine, 5-HT2A Receptor, [18F]-Altanserin, PET, Positron Emission Tomography, Cognition, Human Study | ||||||||
| Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte |
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| Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch |
Nachwuchsförderungskredit der Universität Zürich, SNF (Personen- und Projektförderung), Foundation Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Olga Mayenfisch Stiftung Zürich, Hartmann Müller-Stiftung Zürich, Forschungsgrant des Landes Liechtenstein |
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| In collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit |
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| Duration of Project / Projektdauer | Apr 2005 to May 2009 |