The Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxy- methamphetamine on Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus of Male Rats

• Main Authors: Sara Soleimani Asl, Fahimeh Ghasemi Moravej, Golshad Kowsari, Mohammad Hassan Farhadi, Bagher Pourhaydar, Hatef Ghasemi Hamidabadi, Mehdi Mehdizadeh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iran University of Medical Sciences 2020-07-01
• Series: Basic and Clinical Neuroscience
• Subjects: n-methyl-3; 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; hippocampus; nestin; sox2 protein; neurod protein
• Online Access: http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-1267-en.html

Introduction: The administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy causes memory impairment, whereas neurogenesis improves memory and learning. Hence, this study evaluated the effects of MDMA on neurogenesis in the hippocampus of male rats. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats received Intraperitoneal (IP) injections of MDMA (10 mg/kg). We assessed nestin, sex-determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2), and NeuroD expressions according to the immunohistochemistry analyses.  Results: MDMA reduced the expressions of nestin, Sox2, and NeuroD compared with the control groups. The reduction in NeuroD expression was age-related.  Conclusion: MDMA possibly has negative effects on neurogenesis, which specifically results from impaired survival of newborn cells.