Project 8

Medicinal uses of Ecstasy (MDMA)

There have been recent anecdotal reports the Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) can treat the L-DOPA induced dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson’s disease. This study examines the behavioural (Goni-Allo et al. 2006; Hegadoren et al. 1995; Kamien et al. 1986)and drug discrimination effects of various analogues of MDMA to investigate possible therapeutic and subjective effects of these analogues (synthesised by Dr Matthew Piggott, a medicinal chemist at UWA). It is hoped to find a therapeutic analogue without the neurotoxic or abuse liability effects of the parent compound.

References

Goni-Allo B, Ramos M, Herv'as I, Lasheras B, Aguirre N (2006) Studies on striatal neurotoxicity caused by the 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine/ malonate combination: implications for serotonin/dopamine interactions. Journal of Psychopharmacology 20: 245-256

Hegadoren KM, Martin-Iverson MT, Baker GB (1995) Comparative behavioural and neurochemical studies with a psychomotor stimulant, an hallucinogen and 3,4-methylenedioxy analogues of amphetamine. Psychopharmacology 118: 295-304

Kamien JB, Johanson CE, Schuster CR, Woolverton WL (1986) The effects of (+/-)-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and (+/-)-methylenedioxyamphetamine in monkeys trained to discriminate (+)-amphetamine from saline. Drug & Alcohol Dependence 18: 139-147