Purpose of this presentation

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Purpose of this presentation

• To review how neurons communicate with one
  another
• To learn how Ecstasy alters this communication,
  resulting in changes in
• Mood
• Behavior
• Memory

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Do you know any changes in behavior that result
from Ecstasy use?
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Ecstasy

• derivative of amphetamine (shown in purple)
• chemical name
  3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
  (MDMA)

Chemical name 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
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Describe the route Ecstasy takes to the
brain. At what point is it traveling in veins
vs. arteries? Oxygenated blood vs.
deoxygenated blood?
In the liver, some of the Ecstasy is metabolized
to inactive compounds
If taken on an empty stomach, Ecstasy will reach
the brain in about 15 minutes.
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movement
cognition, memory, altered perceptions
mood
Temperature, appetite, water balance
memory
Limbic System basal ganglia, hypothalamus,
amygdala, hippocampus -- changes in mood,
emotions, and production of anxiety
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Ecstasy Affects the Serotonin Pathway

• Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is
  synthesized, stored, and released by specific
  neurons in this pathway.
• Involved in the regulation of
• Mood
• Emotions
• Aggression
• Sleep
• Appetite
• Anxiety
• Memory
• Perceptions

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Control muscle activity
Yellow Cortex (cognition, memory,
perceptions) Red Amygdala (mood) Hippocampus
Blue (memory) Green Hypothalamus (temperature,
water balance)
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Remember? Describe the direction of the nerve
impulse and the explain both the electrical and
chemical transmission.
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Describe the mechanism.
There are actually at least 14 types of
serotonin receptors
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Serotonin not bound by receptors is removed from
synaptic cleft by transporters
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Ecstasy can 1) prevent transporters from
carrying serotonin back into the
terminal (Ecstasy can also inhibit dopamine
transporters) 2) cause the transporters to work
in reverse mode bring serotonin BACK into the
synaptic cleft
What other drugs have this affect?
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But with the good-- comes the bad
Which area(s) of the brain/CNS produce the
following side effects as a result of Ecstasy
use? - clouded thinking - disturbed behavior
- hyperthermia - jaw clenching
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WHY?
Serotonin neurons cant make serotonin fast
enough to replace the serotonin that was lost
Keeps psychological/ physiological function on an
even keel
Activation of more serotonin receptors
Less serotonin is released with each electrical
impulse and fewer serotonin receptors are
activated
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Multiple doses of Ecstasy (stacking) can
increase body temperature so high brain
damage/death
Hypothalamus regulates heart rate/blood
pressure, fluid retention/kidney function and
body temperature
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Introduction - Long-term Effects of Ecstasy
(Monkeys) What does this indicate about long
term recovery from Ecstasy use?
Given saline
Given Ecstasy 2x/day for 4days
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• Some studies of human Ecstasy users report less
  serotonin and
• serotonin metabolites in the cerobrospinal fluid

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What areas are the yellow/blue? Review What
other areas of the brain are affected by the use
of Ecstasy use and how?