3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced acute changes in dopamine transporter function

The acute effects of the amphetamine designer drug, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or 'ecstasy'), on dopamine transporter function in rat striatum were investigated and compared to other psychostimulants known to influence monoaminergic systems. A single MDMA injection (10-20 mg/kg; s.c.) caused a dose-related decrease in [H-3]dopamine uptake into striatal synaptosomes prepared 1 h after MDMA administration. This rapid effect on [H-3]dopamine uptake returned to control levels 24 h after treatment. A. single administration of other amphetamine analogs, such as methamphetamine (15 mg/kg; s.c.), p-chloroamphetamine (10 mg/kg; i.p.) or methcathinone (30 mg/kg; s.c.), also rapidly decreased striatal [H-3]dopamine uptake. In contrast, a single or multiple administrations of cocaine (30 mg/kg; i.p.) had no effect on [H-3]dopamine transport into striatal synaptosomes. These changes in dopamine transporter activity by the amphetamine analogs may occur via reactive oxygen species-mediated mechanisms. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.