Ecstasy (MDMA)-addicted subjects show increased serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, independently from a rise of drug-induced psychotic symptoms.
The recreational drug ecstasy3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) exerts a potent action on central serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. These neurons utilize neurotrophins for their survival and function. In order to explore MDMA effects on neurotrophins, we measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in ecstasy-addicted, ecstasy-addicted with signs of psychosis and healthy subjects. We found that BDNF serum levels were significantly increased in both groups of ecstasy-addicted as compared with healthy subjects, supporting the hypothesis that BDNF is involved in MDMA action.