Project 6

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