Effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine on local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat.

The effects of (+-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") (5, 10, 15 or 30 mg/kg, i.p.) on local cerebral utilization of glucose were studied by the quantitative autoradiographic 2-deoxy-D-[1-14C]glucose method in awake adult male Fischer-344 rats. Statistically significant effects on local utilization of glucose, 5 min after the administration of MDMA were observed in 20 of 60 areas of brain sampled. Marked stimulation was seen in components of the extrapyramidal motor system (substantia nigra, globus pallidus, entopenduncular nucleus, subthalamic nucleus, cerebellar vermis). The limbic system showed decrements in the medial cortex and hippocampal dentate gyrus (outer blade) and the lateral habenula, while there was stimulation in the mammillary body and the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus. Glucose utilization in MDMA-treated rats was reduced in the superior colliculus and medial terminal nucleus of the accessory optic system, but was unchanged in the visual cortex and components of the auditory system. Some of the effects of MDMA on cerebral utilization of glucose resembled those previously reported with l-cocaine, d-amphetamine, and phencyclidine, implicating some common mechanisms in the actions of these drugs.