Journal article
Neuroendocrine and subjective responses to pharmacological challenge with citalopram: A controlled study in male and female ecstasy/MDMA users
K Allott, BJ Canny, JH Broadbear, NK Stepto, B Murphy, J Redman
Journal of Psychopharmacology | SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD | Published : 2009
Abstract
Despite evidence that ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'ecstasy') causes persistent alterations to the serotonergic system of animals, evidence for long-term neurological effects of ecstasy/MDMA in humans remains equivocal. The current study assessed serotonin functioning of nine male and 11 female recreational ecstasy polydrug users by measuring neuroendocrine (prolactin, cortisol) responses to pharmacological challenge with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram, compared with nine male and five female cannabis polydrug users and 11 male and 11 female non-drug using controls. A single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled design was used. Subjective responses, other..
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Funding Acknowledgements
Sincere thanks go to Gillinder Bedi for her expert advice throughout the implementation of the study, to Kim Ng for his invaluable guidance with the statistical analyses, and to the participants for their enthusiasm and generosity. Thanks to RaveSafe and Pill Reports for allowing the study to be advertised via their e-newsletter and website, respectively. The citalopram was kindly provided by Lundbeck Australia Pty Ltd and placebo tablets were donated by Dr Colin O'Donnell. The study was supported by internal funds only. Kelly Allott was funded by an Australian Postgraduate Award and Departmental Scholarship.