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Lebsanft, Heike Birgit. "MDMA ("Ecstasy") in Tiermodellen des Morbus Parkinson." [S.l.] : [s.n.], 2004. http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=972748601.
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Turner, Alexandra. "What is the difference between Ecstasy and MDMA?" Thesis, Anglia Ruskin University, 2016. http://arro.anglia.ac.uk/701011/.
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In society there is a discrepancy that has developed in what the public understands about what Ecstasy is, in relation to the term ‘MDMA’. MDMA, the abbreviation for 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is the chemical constituent that has most commonly been associated with the street drug known as Ecstasy. Though the use of Ecstasy was reportedly on the decrease, a new product has emerged known as crystal or MDMA powder. This is alongside new competing compounds entering the market, most notably Mephedrone. The research examined explores the changing perception around what the terms Ecstasy and MDMA represent, comparing their popularity and prevalence with that of Mephedrone. This was investigated using an interdisciplinary approach, utilizing methods drawn from social sciences and analytical chemistry. Two online social research surveys were employed to establish what the public knew and understood about the terms, Ecstasy and MDMA and the drug Mephedrone. The surveys included both quantitative questions regarding specific drug knowledge and qualitative questions which asked participants about their reasons behind selecting to use a substance. The surveys provided a social context and highlighted specific perceptions that were held about these drugs. The results from the surveys were compared to seizure data collected from the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, which provided a timeline of the emergence and prevalence of the types of Ecstasy/MDMA and Mephedrone being seized. The perceptions were also compared to a qualitative chemical analysis of seized samples using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In the findings from this research there is a definite gap between what the public know and perceive about the terms Ecstasy, MDMA and Mephedrone. A key finding from this research is what is reportedly known about Ecstasy has not translated into what is known about MDMA. There is an observed disassociation between these two terms. Mephedrone, on the other hand appears to have fallen into obscurity post its media high of 2010. The responses to the social surveys indicate a clear preference for MDMA over ‘Ecstasy’ or Mephedrone, as the former is seen as being of better ‘quality’. The user preference was supported by the findings from the seiuzers recorded in Cambridge, with the new crystal form being the most dominant type seized post 2012 and Mephedrone seizures declining after its control in 2010. In reporting the purity of street samples, the public perception was again supported as the crystal materials contained a higher percentage of the chemical MDMA. This is the first reported study of the relative purity of the alternate forms of MDMA.
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Pirona, alessandro. "An empirical investigation of the abuse liability of "Ecstasy" (MDMA) in regular ecstasy users." Thesis, University of Sussex, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.517001.
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Medina, Krista Lisdahl. "Ecstasy (MDMA) Exposure and Neuropsychological Functioning: A Polydrug Perspective." Cincinnati, Ohio : University of Cincinnati, 2005. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?acc%5Fnum=ucin1112218607.
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Wareing, M. "Working memory and executive deficits among MDMA (Ecstasy) users." Thesis, Edge Hill University, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.439660.
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Roberts, C. A. "Neurophysiological correlates of ecstasy/MDMA use on executive functioning." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2014. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/4524/.
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The purpose of this thesis was to assess the integrity of the serotonin system, by measuring the neurophysiological response to tasks that measure executive functions, and neuroendocrine function in ecstasy users and non-users. Each of the proposed executive functions outlined in Miyake et al.’s (2000) conceptual framework (inhibition, switching and updating) as well as the addition of access to semantic/long term memory made by Fisk and Sharp (2004), was assessed using behavioural tasks in combination with EEG and fNIRS. Behavioural performance between ecstasy users and various controls (polydrug and drug naive) was equivalent throughout the thesis. However ERP analysis revealed ecstasy-related atypicalities in cognitive processing during inhibitory control, switching and access. Ecstasy users displayed increases in P2 and N2 components during these tasks that reflect recruitment of additional resources. A diminished P3 response during the switching task was evident for ecstasy users and polydrug users relative to controls. Regression analyses suggest that lifetime cannabis use may be an important factor for this function. Results from fNIRS suggest that ecstasy users show an increased haemodynamic response during all four executive functions relative to non-users, which suggests that ecstasy users are engaged in more effortful cognition than controls. Increases in neuronal activation whilst performing at a similar level behaviourally are understood as recruitment of additional resources. Again during switching cannabis use may have been an important factor. Another aim of this thesis was to assess neuroendocrine function. Ecstasy users displayed elevated basal cortisol levels relative to polydrug controls and drug naive controls. The results suggest that ecstasy is detrimental to the integrity of the HPA-axis. This thesis provides support for ecstasy-related damage to the serotonergic system and should be used in educating prospective ecstasy users of relative harms.
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Hatala, Elaine M. "Characteristics and Predictors of Ecstasy (MDMA) Use During College." Diss., Temple University Libraries, 2008. http://cdm16002.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p245801coll10/id/882.
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Public HealthPh.D.
This cross-sectional investigation examined characteristics of ecstasy use during college and associations between ecstasy use during college and demographic factors, family functioning, mental health, and stage of change for ecstasy use. In addition a multivariate model was developed to predict characteristics of ecstasy use during college. An electronic survey was sent to all undergraduate students enrolled at a large urban university in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States during the spring of 2007. Demographic factors and characteristics of ecstasy use were examined using standardized measures employed in national drug use surveys and by the World Health Organization. Measures associated specifically with ecstasy use during college were developed for this investigation. Family functioning was measured with the Parent Adolescent Communication Scale. Mental health was measured with the K6 screening instrument for nonspecific psychological distress. Stage of change was measured with a five-stage algorithm. The final sample for analysis consisted of 194 participants who reported ecstasy use during college and 2849 participants who reported no ecstasy use during college. Data were described using conventional descriptive statistics, chi-square statistics and non-parametric statistics. A logistic regression model was used to identify variables associated with ecstasy use during college. Based on the results, the following generalized conclusions were drawn: ecstasy continues to be used by college students at large urban universities in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States; because the majority of college students reported using ecstasy for the first time during college and also reported using ecstasy for up to two years, it appears that the college environment is a contextual factor for ecstasy use; lower family communication is associated with ecstasy use during college; psychological distress is associated with ecstasy use during college; being white (versus non-white), male (versus female) and having low or moderate (versus high) family communication each is independently associated with ecstasy use during college; differences in stage of change for ecstasy use among ecstasy users and the demographic profile of ecstasy users compared to non-ecstasy users suggest that prevention, education and intervention efforts should be designed to match the unique factors associated with ecstasy use during college.
Temple University--Theses
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Fallon, John Kevin. "Stereospecific analysis and enantiomeric disposition of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in man." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.313776.
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Agostinho, Túlio de Castro. "Análise voltamétrica de 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina." Universidade de São Paulo, 2013. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/59/59138/tde-12122012-102825/.
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O propósito do estudo realizado foi de investigar o comportamento voltamétrico da 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA), substância psicoativa do ecstasy, uma droga que tem se tornado cada vez mais popular entre os usuários de drogas. Empregou-se o uso da técnica de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, para isolar a substância a partir de amostras de ecstasy obtidas em parceria com a Polícia Científica de Ribeirão Preto, bem como a técnica de espectrometria de massas, para confirmar a presença da MDMA nas mesmas. Os estudos voltamétricos foram realizados utilizando-se um sistema de três eletrodos, sendo o eletrodo de trabalho de carbono vítreo, eletrodo de referência Ag/AgCl e eletrodo auxiliar de fio de platina. O comportamento eletroquímico desta substância foi investigado diante de diferentes modalidades voltamétricas: Voltametria cíclica, de pulso diferencial e de onda quadrada, nas quais se pôde observar um pico anódico em Ep = +1,1 V. Foram otimizados os parâmetros voltamétricos de modo a tornar a análise mais rápida e sensível, sem perda de intensidade e qualidade do sinal voltamétrico. Com os parâmetros voltamétricos otimizados, foram construídas curvas analíticas para o analito em questão nas diferentes modalidades voltamétricas estudadas. Foi possível determinar o teor de MDMA nas cinco diferentes amostras de ecstasy utilizadas, das quais quatro apresentaram MDMA com teores variando de 3 a 10% (m/m) e uma na qual não foi constatada a presença da droga, mas sim de outro fármaco, a lidocaína.The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the voltammetric behavior of 3,4-methylenedioxymethanphetamine (MDMA), the psychoactive substance of ecstasy, a drug that has become increasingly popular among drug users. The high performance liquid chromatography technique was employed in order to isolate the substance from ecstasy samples obtained in partnership with Polícia Científica de Ribeirão Preto and also the mass spectrometry technique was employed to confirm the presence of MDMA. The voltammetric studies were performed using the three electrodes system, being glassy carbon as the working electrode, Ag/AgCl as the reference electrode and platinum wire as counter electrode. The electrochemical behavior of the substance was investigated using different voltammetric techniques: Cyclic, differential pulse and square wave voltammetry modalities, in which an anodic peak was observed at Ep = +1,1 V. The voltammetric parameters were optimized in order to make the analysis faster and more sensitive, without loss of quality and intensity of the voltammetric signal. With the voltammetric parameters optimized, analytical curves of the studied analyte were built for the different voltammetric techniques. It was possible to determine the content of MDMA in the five different ecstasy samples utilized, in which four showed MDMA with contents ranging from 3 to 10% (m/m) and one in which no MDMA was observed but another drug, lidocaine.
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Bósio, Graziela Costa. "Contribuição individual dos enatiômeros isolados da 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA) comparativamente com a mistura racêmica no estresse oxidativo hepático, renal e estriatal de ratos." Universidade de São Paulo, 2012. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/9/9141/tde-19062013-160903/.
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A 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA, ecstasy), derivada da anfetamina, é uma droga largamente utilizada para fins recreacionais devido à sensação de euforia, energia e desejo de socialização. Apesar de ter a reputação de ser uma droga segura, um número crescente de relatos clínicos e estudos experimentais indica que a MDMA pode produzir toxicidade no SNC, rim, fígado e coração. Embora esteja contida nos comprimidos de ecstasy como racemato (uma mistura de 50% de seus enantiômeros), sua biotransformação é enantioseletiva; em ratos, o enantiômero R é biotransformado mais rapidamente que o S. Como a biotransformação de MDMA é capaz de produzir metabólitos reativos, muito provavelmente, a forma R tenha um maior potencial para gerar ERO/ERN e dano oxidativo nos tecidos do que a forma S. Nos seres humanos ocorre o inverso. Portanto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a contribuição individual de cada enantiômero da MDMA isoladamente, tendo como referência a mistura racêmica, no estresse oxidativo hepático renal e estriatal de ratos. Ratos Wistar machos adultos (180-220g) foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle (salina), MDMA racêmico, R-MDMA e S-MDMA. (2 doses consecutivas de 10 mg/kg no intervalo de 24h, gavage). Parâmetros de estresse oxidativo serão utilizados como a medida da formação de malonaldeído, a determinação de níveis de glutationa reduzida e a atividade da glutationa-S-transferase. Os enantiômeros da MDMA racêmica foram separados por meio da cromatografia em fase líquida de alta eficiência em fase estacionária quiral. Os enantiômeros obtidos mostraram um alto grau de pureza e um bom rendimento. Nossos resultados mostraram que o conteúdo hepático de glutationa total dos ratos do grupo R,S-MDMA e do grupo R-MDMA, foi significativamente menor do que os do controle e os do S-MDMA, revelando que é o enantiômero R que contribui para a depleção de glutationa hepática induzida pela mistura racêmica. A alta reatividade do enantiômero R no fígado também pode ser constatada nos animais tratados apenas com R-MMDA, uma vez que houve uma produção significativamente aumentada de MDA, comparativamente aos outros grupos tratados e o controle. O conteúdo renal de glutationa total foi significantemente menor para todos os grupos tratados quando comparados com o controle. Com relação ao estriado, apenas os animais tratados com o isômero S isoladamente mostraram uma queda significativa da atividade da GST em comparação aos demais grupos tratados e controle. Tomando todos esses dados em conjunto, esse trabalho mostrou que os enantiômeros isolados da MDMA podem atuar de formas distintas no que se refere ao estado redox, principalmente no fígado, uma vez que o isômero R foi o que mais contribuiu para um dano oxidativo.MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is an amphetamine derivate that is largely used for recreational purpose due to its feeling of euphoria, energy and the desire to socialize. Although MDMA has the reputation of being safe, a growing number of clinical reports and experimental studies indicate that MDMA can produce toxicity in the CNS, kidney, liver and heart.Although MDMA is present in ecstasy tablets as a racemate (a 50% mixture of its enantiomer) it has an enantioselective metabolism; in rats, the S-enantiomer is metabolized faster than the R-enantiomer and it is the more active pharmacological form. As the MDMA biotransformation can produce reactive metabolites, probably the R form has a greater potential to generate ROS / ERN and oxidative damage in tissues than the S. In humans, the opposite occurs. Therefore, this aim of the present study was to evaluate the individual contribution of single MDMA enantiomers, compared to racemic mixture in liver, kidney and striatal rats oxidative stress. Adult male Wistar rats (180- 220g) will be divided into four groups: control treatment (saline), racemic MDMA, R-MDMA and S-MDMA (two consecutive doses 24h apart with 10mg/kg, gavage). Oxidative stress status parameters will be used to measure malondialdehyde formation, the reduced glutathione levels determination and the glutathione-S-transferase activity. The enantiomers of racemic MDMA were separated by liquid chromatography high-efficiency chiral stationary phase. The enantiomers showed a high degree of purity and a good recovery. Our results showed that the total glutathione content in liver of rats in R,S-MDMA and R-MDMA group was significantly lower than the control and S-MDMA, revealing that the R-enantiomer that contributes to hepatic glutathione depletion induced by the racemic mixture. The high reactivity of the R enantiomer in the liver can also be observed in animals treated with R-MMDA, since there was a significantly increased production of MDA, compared with other treated and control groups. The total glutathione content in kidney was significantly lower for all treated groups compared with control. With respect to the striatum, only animals treated with the S isomer alone showed a significant decrease in GST activity compared to other treatment and control groups. Taking all these data together, this study shows that the isolated enantiomers of MDMA can act differently with regard to the redox state, mainly in the liver, since the R isomer was the largest contributor to oxidative damage.
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Lapachinske, Silvio Fernandes. "\"Quantificação de MDMA em amostras de ecstasy por cromatografia em fase gasosa (GC/NPD)\"." Universidade de São Paulo, 2004. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/9/9141/tde-05082004-162808/.
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Quimicamente, o ecstasy é a 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA), um composto sintético com propriedades estimulante central e alucinogênicas. Algumas substâncias análogas à MDMA, já identificadas em comprimidos de ecstasy, são principalmente: 3,4-metilenodioxietilanfetamina (MDEA), 3,4-metilenodioxianfetamina (MDA), metanfetamina e anfetamina. Os adulterantes mais comuns, normalmente encontrados são: cafeína e efedrinas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a validação de um método analítico para quantificar a MDMA em comprimidos e cápsulas de ecstasy, através da cromatografia em fase gasosa com detector de nitrogênio/fósforo (GC/NPD). Substâncias análogas à MDMA e adulterantes também foram identificados. Amostras de comprimidos e cápsulas de 25 diferentes lotes, apreendidos como ecstasy em São Paulo (SP), foram analisadas pelo método proposto. Desse total de amostras, 21 continham somente MDMA (84%) e apenas 1 delas apresentou MDMA associada com cafeína (4%). A concentração total de MDMA nessas amostras variou entre 30,9 e 92,7mg, resultando em uma média aritmética de 63mg.Chemically, \"ecstasy\" is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic compound with stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Some MDMA analog substances such as 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), methamphetamine and amphetamine have already been identified in \"ecstasy\" tablets. Caffeine and ephedrines are the most common adulterants also found. The aim of this paper is to describe the validation of an analytical method to quantify MDMA in \"ecstasy\" tablets and capsules. Gas chromatography with nitrogen/phosphorus detector was used in the method. Analog substances to MDMA and adulterant compounds were also identified. Samples from 25 lots of tablets seized in the city of São Paulo were analyzed. From that total, 21 showed only MDMA (84%) and just 1 of them presented MDMA plus caffeine (4%). MDMA total concentration in these samples had a variation between 30.9 and 92.7mg, resulting in an arithmetic average of 63mg.
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Davis, Alan Kooi. "Development and Initial Evaluation of an Ecstasy Craving Questionnaire." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1335999475.
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Beveridge, Thomas James Ramsey. "An investigation into the neuronal activity induced by direct and indirect 5-HTâ‚‚ agonists as indicated by Arc mRNA." Thesis, De Montfort University, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.271936.
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Graser, Reinhard. "Simultane Bestimmung der Ecstasy-Verbindungen N-Methyl- und N-Ethyl-3,4-Methylendioxyamphetamin (MDMA und MDE) sowie deren Hauptmetabolite im menschlichen Urin mittels HPLC-FL/DAD /." Aachen : Shaker, 2005. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&doc_number=013356203&line_number=0001&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA.
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Soar, Kirstie. "Problematic and non-problematic ecstasy (MDMA) usage : cognitive and psychopathological aspects." Thesis, University of East London, 2005. http://roar.uel.ac.uk/3408/.
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This research thesis aimed to explore the apparent dichotomy of ecstasy (MDMA) users who report cognitive and psychopathological problems which they attribute to their use of this drug ("problematic" users), and those who report no adverse ecstasy-related effects ("nonproblematic" users). In the first study, possible psychological sequalae linked to past ecstasy use were assessed in problematic and non-problematic ecstasy users using the modified Brief Symptom Inventory, aspects of the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test, Tower of London and Auditory Verbal Learning Task. Problematic ecstasy users displayed higher psychopathological symptoms and a small number of selective cognitive deficits compared to non-problematic ecstasy users and polydrug controls. However, problematic ecstasy use did not appear to be related to patterns of ecstasy use or polydrug use. Using the same assessment measures, a case study based on a heavy problematic ecstasy user (RW), who had been abstinent for seven years, was presented. RW displayed cognitive deficits and extensive psychological problems suggesting that heavy ecstasy consumption may be associated with irreversible problems. The persistence of possible psychological and cognitive problems was further investigated in the second group study, using the same battery of tests. However no significant differences in cognitive and psychopathological performances were found between polydrug controls, current and ex-ecstasy users. It is argued that impairments in performance were possibly masked by poor cognitive performance in polydrug controls. The validity of the polydrug control group was addressed (in the third study) by assessing 20 drug-naive participants on the same measures. The introduction of a drug-naive control group only suggested that problematic and non-problematic ecstasy users were exhibiting more errors on the Tower of London task compared to polydrug and drug-naive controls. The final study assessed psychopathological symptoms in problematic and non-problematic ecstasy users relative to drug-naive and polydrug controls, and explored factors which may be integral in the development of problematic ecstasy use, including certain pre-existing factors. Users were assessed on the BSI and Locus of Control scale. Pre-existing psychiatric histories, the intensity of ecstasy dosing and the role of polydrug use in relation to ecstasy use, appeared to contribute in higher psychopathological symptoms in problematic ecstasy users. Together these studies suggest that only self-reported problematic ecstasy users consistently display cognitive and psychopathological problems. For these vulnerable individuals the intensity of ecstasy use, patterns of other drug use and pre-existing psychiatric histories are thought to contribute to the development of these problems.
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Leão, Anabela Pereira. "Lesões musculares esqueléticas induzidas pela MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) e pelo exercício físico." Master's thesis, Universidade de Aveiro, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10773/18837.
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Mestrado em Métodos Biomoleculares AvançadosCom este trabalho procurou-se estudar, no músculo soleus de ratinho, os efeitos da administração da MDMA e da sua associação com o exercício físico. Para isso utilizaram-se 72 ratinhos Charles River CD1, distribuídos ao acaso por quatro grupos experimentais (n=18/grupo), que foram sujeitos à administração intraperitoneal de soro fisiológico e/ou 3,4- metilenodioxometanfetamina (MDMA) na dose de 10 mg/Kg. Destes grupos organizaram-se subgrupos (n=6), dos quais alguns foram submetidos ao exercício físico em tapete rolante, no plano horizontal, durante 90 minutos, a 75% da velocidade máxima dos animais Procedeu-se à avaliação de diferentes parâmetros, metabólico (temperatura subcutânea), bioquímico plasmático (creatina cínase-CK) e bioquímicos musculares (mieloperoxidase–MPO e Nacetil ?-glucosaminidase–NAG), em diferentes momentos de avaliação (0, 24 e 48 horas após a administração intraperitoneal de solução salina e/ou MDMA). Todo o protocolo experimental foi acompanhado pela avaliação morfológica do tecido muscular esquelético à luz da microscopia óptica e electrónica, quantificando-se as fibras lesadas (alteração do padrão estriado, vacuolização sarcoplasmática, necrose segmentar e núcleos em posição central). Neste contexto verificou-se que a CK plasmática apresentava o pico de actividade enzimática imediatamente após o exercício para todos os grupos experimentais. Constatou-se ainda que a MDMA produziu um efeito hipertérmico significativo nos animais, não se verificando qualquer influência do exercício físico. A análise morfológica demonstrou que a acção exercida pela MDMA originou, uma lesão muscular extensa expressa pelo número de fibras lesadas. Averiguou-se ainda que esta droga de abuso causa um infiltrado essencialmente linfocitário, verificando-se o pico às 24 horas após o exercício, sendo progressivamente substituído por neutrófilos e/ou macrófagos, como indiciam os valores da MPO e NAG. Pode-se concluir que a MDMA possui um efeito tóxico sobre as fibras musculares e que se prolongam por mais tempo para o grupo que foi sujeito em simultâneo ao exercício físico, o que pronuncia um fenómeno lesivo mais intenso.
This work presents the in vivo performed study for the evaluation of MDMA’s skeletal muscle toxicity, in an attempt to contribute for the understanding of the possible mechanisms involved in this effect. For this purpose were used 72 Charles River CD-1 mice (30-40g), randomly distributed by 4 groups (n=18 mice/group), and submitted to an i.p. injection of 0,1 mL of sterile saline and 10mg/Kg of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), using sterile saline as vehicle. Some of these groups were subjected to a treadmill level run at 75% of the maximal speed of these mice, during 90 minutes. Immediately before sacrifice 1 mL of blood was collected from inferior vena cava of all animals to quantify plasma creatine kinase activity as an indirect marker of skeletal muscle injury. Both soleus muscles were completely removed, homogenised, and the supernatant was used to the determination of biochemical parameters: N-acetyl-glucosaminidase and mieloperoxidase at different evaluation moments (0, 24 and 48 hours after injection). Cross sections and longitudinal sections of soleus fibers were morphometrically evaluated using a light microscope for an estimation of the percentage of fibers showing any structural alterations (alterations of the striation pattern, sarcoplasmic vacuolisation, segmental necrosis and central nuclei). Ultrathin sections were examined in a Hitachi H9000-NA electron microscope for a qualitative evaluation of the ultrastructure alterations. It was shown that MDMA produces a toxic effect on muscle fibers, observed by the creatine kinase release 90 minutes after the injection, for all o the experimental groups. It was also verified that MDMA produced a significant hyperthermic effect in the animals. The morphological evaluation demonstrated that MDMA induce an extense muscle damage, exposed by the number of damaged fibers. Furthermore, the MDMA administration results in a lymphocyte infiltrate, 24 hours after exercise, observed in the muscle fibers cross sectional areas. These cells were progressively replaced by neutrophils or macrophages, as demonstrated by the activities of myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-? - glucosaminidase. It can be concluded that the administration of MDMA produced an extreme muscle injury longer in the animals that were submitted to a simultaneous physical exercise, which denotes a more damaging process.
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Hoshi, Rosa. "The neuropharmacological, cognitive and mood effects of ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy')." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2006. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1445586/.
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This thesis investigates the sub-acute and long-term neuropharmacological, cognitive and mood effects of ecstasy use. The first Positron Emission Tomography (PET) study used the 18F-dopa ligand to assess presynaptic dopaminergic function in ex-ecstasy users, poly-drug controls and drug-naive controls. Increased F-dopa uptake was found in the putamen of ex-ecstasy users compared to controls. This could suggest a compensatory upregulation of the dopaminergic system. The second PET study used the 11CDASB ligand to assess 5- HT transporter density in ex-ecstasy users, poly-drug controls and drug-naive controls. No significant group differences indicated recovery of 5-HT transporter density following cessation of ecstasy use, replicating several very recent studies. Studies 3 and 4 assessed cognitive function and aggressive cognitive bias respectively in ex-ecstasy users, current ecstasy users, poly-drug controls and drug- naive controls. A general tendency towards impaired learning and memory in all 3 drug using groups suggested that drug use in general rather than ecstasy use per se could be responsible. In addition, recent drug use was associated with poorer memory performance and impaired response inhibition. No group differences were observed in aggressive cognitive bias. However, Study 5, using the same task with over 100 participants showed increased aggressive interpretative bias (and increased self-rated aggression and depression) 4 days after acute ecstasy use. No evidence of gender differences was found. Study 6 built on findings with serotonergic challenges to explore transient 5-HT depletion. As predicted, on the night of ecstasy use participants showed subtly elevated fear recognition accuracy and the reverse 4 days later. In summary, evidence of recovery of serotonergic function following cessation of ecstasy use should be viewed alongside long-lasting alterations in dopaminergic function. Cognitive 'deficits' are less apparent when ecstasy users are matched with controls for use of all other recreational drugs. 'Mid-week' lowering of mood is now one of the most replicated findings within the ecstasy literature.
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Christian, Michael. "Exploring MDMA and its therapeutic potential." Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida, 2012. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETH/id/672.
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The clinical application of MDMA has long been an issue of great interest for doctors, counselors, researchers, and users alike. Originally synthesized by a pharmaceutical company and subsequently tested on military personnel, the drug was then used by many clinicians and physicians prior to the DEA's strict regulation of the drug, which began in the mid 1980s (Mithoefer et al, 2010). The DEA has classified MDMA a "Schedule 1" drug, which means that it among the most controlled substances, a fact which has hindered the progress of research. For a detailed explanation of the DEA's scheduling of controlled substances, please refer to appendix A. Exception was made to this restriction, however, in 2003 when the US government permitted one organization, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies ("MAPS," for short), to conduct studies wherein the drug was to be administered to human participants in a clinically controlled experimental environment--a setting which allows for many of the most prevalent confounds found in MDMA research to be minimized and, in some cases, eliminated (Mithoefer et al., 2007; Mithoefer et al, 2010; MAPS.org, 2012). Though MAPS' studies are only just beginning, they have already had promising results in treating protracted cases of PTSD. These recent developments in MDMA research and the results of the subsequent studies have piqued the interest of academics and advocates alike as well as motive numerous other organizations to lend their support to the MAPS organization. This literature review aims to provide an overview of past and present paradigms within the body of MDMA research in order to provide an informational framework within which the recent works regarding the drug's therapeutic merit can be adequately examined.B.S.
Bachelors
Sciences
Psychology
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Brown, John Anthony, and John Brown@anu edu au. "The pattern of memory and perceptual dysfunctions in recreational ecstasy users." The Australian National University. Faculty of Science, 2006. http://thesis.anu.edu.au./public/adt-ANU20060407.155643.
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There is a growing body of evidence that the main psychoactive ingredient of the recreational drug ecstasy (methylendioxymethamphetamine; MDMA) causes lasting changes to the serotonin system in both animals and humans, including the hippocampus (involved in memory) and the occipital lobe (involved in visual perception). Previous studies have often found memory deficits in ecstasy users. However, the results have been far from consistent across studies. None of the methods used to date have adequately isolated the hippocampal component of memory from the contribution of other brain regions. Three memory studies were conducted in this thesis to clarify which components and processes of memory are in deficit in ecstasy users.¶
In the first memory study, ecstasy users (n=32) did not differ from non-drug using controls (n=29) on implicit memory (automatic non-conscious retrieval, as revealed by a stem-completion task), or explicit memory (conscious recollection, as revealed by stem-cued recall). In the second memory study, no significant differences were found between ecstasy users (n=30) and non-drug using controls (n=34) on tests designed to clarify the findings on explicit memory, or on two standard neuropsychological tests of long-term memory (prose recall and Auditory Verbal Learning Test) that allowed greater use of elaborative processing at study. In the third memory study, a number of tests were applied that differed in their elaborative processing demands, including the California Verbal Learning Test, Visual Paired Associates, and Verbal Paired Associates. Ecstasy users (n=32) had poorer recall, and made less strategic use of elaborative processing compared to both cannabis-using controls (n=33) and non-drug using controls (n=33). Also, on a novel test of elaborative processing (Verbal Triplet Associates), both cannabis users and ecstasy users had memory deficits on the first trial, but only ecstasy users had a significant learning deficit over successive trials. On the basis of the localisation of the components and processes of memory in literature, it was concluded that long-term memory deficits in ecstasy users may reflect changes in elaborative processes localised in the frontal lobes, or global deficits, rather than just changes to the memory functions of the hippocampus.¶
With regard to visual perception, no studies have been published to date that have examined MDMA-related changes to the behavioural functioning of the occipital lobe in humans. In the current thesis, this was investigated using the tilt aftereffect illusion. In accordance with expectations, ecstasy users had a larger tilt aftereffect compared to non-drug using controls (n=34). Unexpectedly, this result was only obtained for a subset of 12 ecstasy users (out of n=30) who had not used amphetamines in the recent past. It was concluded that the results for ecstasy users who had not recently used amphetamines were consistent with the proposal that ecstasy-related serotonergic changes in the occipital lobe broaden the tuning bandwidth of orientation sensitive neurons, and that the recent use of amphetamines appears to counteract that effect.
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Erives, Quezada Gladys Vanessa. "The Role of Metabolism in Ecstasy-Mediated Serotonergic Neurotoxicity." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/195730.
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3,4-(±)-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic amphetamine derivative commonly used as a recreational drug. Although the selectivity of MDMA for the serotonergic system in rat and humans is well established, the specific mechanism associated with MDMA-induced neurotoxicity is not fully understood. The long-term neurotoxicity of MDMA appears to be dependent upon systemic metabolism since direct administration of MDMA into the brain fails to reproduce the neurotoxic effects seen following peripheral administration, indicating that the parent compound alone is unlikely to be responsible for the neurotoxicity. MDMA is O-demethylenated to the catechol metabolite N-methyl-α-methyldopamine (N-Me-α-MeDA) and N-demethylated to MDA by cytochrome (s) P450 (CYP450). Thioether (glutathione and N-acetylcysteine) metabolites of N-Me-α-MeDA and α-MeDA are neurotoxic and can be found in rat brain following s.c. injection of MDMA. Because multidose administration of MDMA is typical of drug intake during rave parties, we investigated the effects of multiple doses of MDMA on the concentration of neurotoxic thioether metabolites in rat brain. Administration of MDMA at 12-h intervals for a total of four injections led to a significant accumulation of the N-Me-α-MeDA thioether metabolites in striatal dialysate. In contrast, acute release of 5-HT concentrations was decreased. Since isoenzymes of the CYP2D subfamily (30% metabolism), and the CYP2B or CYP3A1 isoforms, catalyze the low and high KM O-demethylenation reactions, respectively, we subsequently examined the potential role of CYP2D1 in both a genetic and pharmacological model. The data is consistent with the hypothesis that systemic metabolism of MDMA contributes to MDMA-induced serotonergic neurotoxicity via the 20) generation of reactive metabolites. In both the genetic and pharmacological models of CYP2D1 deficiency, attenuation of MDMA-mediated decreases in brain 5-HT concentrations were in the same range (30-40%). Finally, we examined the contribution of various transporters using genetic and pharmacological models to investigate the mechanisms regulating the concentration of thioether metabolites in MDMA neurotoxicity. The data suggest that by regulating various transporters and brain concentrations of the neurotoxic thioether metabolites of MDMA, may subsequently modulate the degree of neurotoxicity. However, further studies are necessary to understand the precise mechanism by which Mrp’s and Oat1 transporters modulate MDMA-neurotoxicity. Taken together, these studies are consistent with the view that neurotoxicity of MDMA requires systemic metabolism to form α-MeDA and N-Me-α- MeDA by CYP2D6. Therefore, It is likely that neurotoxicity is mediated by the formation of systemic neurotoxic metabolites.
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Montgomery, Catharine Anne. "The differential effects of MDMA (ecstasy) use on executive and memory processes." Thesis, Liverpool John Moores University, 2006. http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/5775/.
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The purpose of this thesis was to examine the nature of executive function deficits in ecstasy users, and the contribution of these executive functions to performance on other cognitive tasks. Using recent theoretical models of executive functioning recreational ecstasy-polydrug users were tested in laboratory settings on measures of mental set switching, response inhibition, memory updating and access to semantic memory. It was found that ecstasy users performed significantly worse than nonusers on measures of updating and access, although cocaine also emerged as an important factor in deficits in access. The contribution of access and updating to performance on more complex executive function tasks was then assessedI.t was found that while associative learning is relatively independent of access and updating, the same was not true for everyday memory and syllogistic reasoning. Ecstasy group related deficits in syllogistic reasoning were slightly attenuated following control for access and substantially following control for updating. It emerged that everyday memory deficits were more related to the use of cannabis than the use of ecstasy. The results of this thesis have serious implications for those who use ecstasy and should be used in educating such individuals. Outside the area of Psychopharmacology this thesis provides further support for the nature of executive functions and their relationship with syllogistic reasoning and everyday memory. Future research should assess executive functions along the same paradigm and seek to recruit polydrug control groups.
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Battisti, Murilo Campos [UNIFESP]. "Seguimento por cinco anos de uma amostra de usuários de ecstasy (MDMA)." Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2009. http://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/10070.
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Previous issue date: 2009-06-24Ecstasy (MDMA) é uma droga que possui importante ação neurotóxica. O seu uso é descrito como um fenômeno jovem. A pesquisa teve por objetivo estudar longitudinalmente uma amostra de usuários de ecstasy entrevistada em 2001 em São Paulo e re-entrevistada entre 2005 e 2006 a fim de observar mudanças no padrão de consumo da droga. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e casos de dependência foram avaliados por meio do DSM-IV. Utilizou-se a metodologia qualitativa com duas fases de entrevista: entrevista inicial (32 entrevistados) e follow-up (21 re-entrevistados). As entrevistas foram gravadas, transcritas literalmente e submetidas à análise de conteúdo. A média de idade da amostra foi de 24,8 anos na fase inicial e 28,7 anos na fase follow-up. Três cenários foram observados: a) uso transicional (n=14) – marcado por acentuada redução ou abandono do consumo de ecstasy ao longo do período investigado; b) uso habitual de longo prazo (n=06) - manutenção no padrão de consumo de ecstasy ou discreta moderação; uso compulsivo de longo prazo (n=01) – aumento em mais de 50% no consumo de ecstasy ao longo dos anos. O uso de álcool e maconha manteve-se inalterado ao longo do período investigado. Quatro sujeitos relataram aumento no consumo de cocaína e seis fizeram menção à iniciação no uso de metanfemina. Observou-se que para uma parte dos entrevistados o ecstasy se caracterizou como uma droga transicional. Para outro grupo o uso de ecstasy se caracterizou por ser uma experiência duradoura.
Ecstasy (MDMA) is an important neurotoxic agent. Its use is described as a youth-limited phenomenon. The aims were to determine the natural course of ecstasy use within a five year timeframe in a sample of Brazilian young adults and to assess changes in ecstasy use patterns. Interviews took place in two waves: 2001 in São Paulo and in 2005/06. Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews. The DSM-IV was used to assess ecstasy dependence. Qualitative method was utilized during the baseline sample (n=32) and the follow-up sample (n=21). All interviews were fully recorded, transcribed and interpreted though content analysis. Subjects’ average age was 24.8 years in the baseline group and 28.7 years in the follow-up. Three scenarios emerged: (A) the transient use group (n=14) either quit using ecstasy or cut down use significantly; (B) the long term habitual use (n=06) group maintained or cut down slightly on MDMA use; (C) the compulsive use group (n=01) increased ecstasy use by more than 50% over the course of the study. As ecstasy use shifts occurred, alcohol and marijuana consumption remained unaltered. Four respondents reported increases in cocaine use, and six subjects mentioned initiation in crystal methamphetamine use. For a group of respondents ecstasy use was a transient phenomenon. For another group of subjects MDMA use manifested as a lasting experience.
TEDE
BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações
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Costa, José Luiz da. "Determinação de 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA - Ecstasy), 3,4-metilenodioxietilanfetamina (MDEA - Eve) e 3,4-metilenodioxianfetamina (MDA) em fluidos biológicos por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência: aspecto forense." Universidade de São Paulo, 2004. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/9/9141/tde-11032005-190039/.
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Em todo o mundo é crescente o uso drogas de abuso sintéticas conhecidas com designer drugs. Os principais representantes desta classe são o Ecstasy ou 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA) e o Eve ou 3,4-metilenodioxietilanfetamina (MDEA), substâncias com efeitos estimulantes e alucinógenos. No Brasil é crescente sua divulgação pela mídia e o uso recreacional tem sido constatado em vários pacientes que buscam tratamento nas clínicas para dependentes. O presente trabalho constitui validação de metodologia analítica para o diagnóstico laboratorial do uso de MDMA, MDEA e seu produto de biotransformação, o 3,4-metilenodioxianfetamina (MDA), em sangue total e urina, por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detecção por fluorescência. Os métodos desenvolvidos mostraram boa linearidade, precisão, exatidão, rendimento e capacidade de detectar os analitos mesmos quando presentes em baixas concentrações, o que permite sua aplicação na verificação da intoxicação aguda quanto no uso recreacional destas drogas de abuso.There is a worldwide increase in the use of the synthetic drugs of abuse known as designer drugs. The main representatives of this class are Ecstasy or 3,4-methylenodioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Eve or 3,4- methylenodioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), substances with stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. In Brazil media coverage of them is on the increase and their recreational is in evidence by the growing numbers of patients who seek treatment at drug treatment centers. This paper validates the analytical methodology for the laboratory diagnosis of the use of MDMA, MDEA and their product of biotransformation, 3,4-methylenodioxyamphetamine (MDA), in whole blood and urine by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence. The developed methods showed good linearity, precision, accuracy, yield and capacity to detect analytes even when present in low concentrations, which enables its application in cases high intoxication as well as in cases of the recreational use of these drugs of abuse.
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Fonsart, Julien. "Toxicité aiguë, métabolisme et pharmacocinétique de la 3,4-méthylènedioxyméthamphétamine (MDMA, ecstasy) : influence du sexe chez le rat Sprague-Dawley." Paris 5, 2008. http://www.theses.fr/2008PA05P651.
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La consommation de 3,4-méthylènedioxyméthamphétamine (MDMA, ecstasy), amphétamine synthétique provoquant une hyperthermie et un syndrome sérotoninergique mortels, s'est considérablement accrue. Les hommes semblent plus sensibles à sa toxicité aiguë et ses effets secondaires physiologiques que les femmes (sex-ratio de 4:1). Plusieurs études ont rapporté des constatations similaires chez le rongeur. La présenté étude montre une différence de DL50 marquée chez les rats mâles et femelles (18 contre 42,5 mg/kg), mais aussi d'effet hyperthermique (0,9°C) de la MDMA, tout en évaluant l'hypothèse d'une différence métabolique ayant des répercussions sur la pharmacocinétique de la molécule. La N-déméthylation de la MDMA en MDA, métabolite plus actif et toxique, est 3,3 fois plus importante in vitro sur microsomes hépatiques de rats mâles, conséquence d'une activité double du CYP1A2 hépatique la catalysant principalement. Cette différence métabolique conduit à des profils pharmacocinétiques différents entre mâles et femelles pour la MDMA comme ses métabolites, évalués par une technique de CLHP/SM permettant une quantification simultanée de la MDMA et de ses principaux métabolites. Ainsi les concentrations plasmatiques de MDA sont plus élevées chez les mâles après administration sous-cutanée ou intraveineuse de MDMA, du fait d'un métabolisme plus important de la MDMA que de la MDA, conduisant à une exposition systémique plus longue, qui expliquerait la différence de mortalité observée, les DL50 de la MDA ne présentant pas de différence liée au sexe. Ces résultats suggèrent que les différences métaboliques sont capitales dans la toxicité des amphétaminiques, et surtout de la MDMAUse of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), an illicit designer drug that can lead to life-threatening hyperthermia and serotonin syndrome, has greatly increased over the last years. Men appear to be more sensitive to acute toxicity than are women, with a 4:1 sex-ratio of lethality, and so to its physiological adverse effects. Some studies also reported similar phenomenon in rodents. The present study demonstrates sex-difference in LD50 (18 vs. 42. 5 mg/kg) and hyperthermic effect (0. 9°C) of MDMA in Sprague-Dawley rats, also evaluating metabolic differences between sexes affecting pharmacokinetics of the drug. N-demethylation of MDMA to MDA, a more active and toxic metabolite, is 3. 3-fold more important in vitro using male rats hepatic microsomes, while CYP1A2 catalysing the reaction is twice more active compared to females. Such metabolic discrepancy modifies in a sex-dependent manner the pharmacokinetics of MDMA and its metabolites, which have been evaluated using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method specially designed for the present study and allowing simultaneous quantification of MDMA and its main metabolites. MDA plasma levels appear to be higher in males, whatever the route of administration (subcutaneous or intravenous) of MDMA, caused by a higher metabolism of MDMA than of MDA, and leading to a longer systemic exposure of males rats. Such differences could explain observed sex-difference in lethality, as LD50 of MDA did not differ between sexes. The data suggest that the metabolic differences in amphetamine-related drugs are of major importance for their toxicity, and especially for MDMA
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Linkovich, Kyle Tiffany Leigh. "Non-acute Cognitive Sequelae Associated with Recreational Ecstasy Use: A Meta-analysis." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2005. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/4077.
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Studies using animal models have found considerable evidence of neurological damage resulting from exposure to 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy). Yet, studies comparing the cognitive performance of human recreational ecstasy users to ecstasy naïve controls have produced inconsistent results. The present study is a meta-analysis of the published empirical literature on the cognitive sequelae of human recreational ecstasy use. The pooled effect size estimate for combined cognitive domains was statistically significant and moderate in size. Small to large, statistically significant aggregate effect sizes resulted for eight of the nine cognitive ability domains included in the analysis. Moderator analyses suggested that frequent ecstasy use is associated with greater cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment can occur after relatively low amounts of total lifetime cumulative use, and recovery of functioning does not occur within one year post cessation.Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Arts and Sciences
Psychology
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Renoir, Thibault. "Mécanismes sérotoninergiques sous-tendant les effets de la MDMA ("ecstasy") chez la souris." Paris 5, 2008. http://www.theses.fr/2008PA05P608.
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Nous avons évalué les effets renforçants de la MDMA via une procédure d’auto-administration couplée à la technique de microdialyse. Les modifications qui suivent un traitement avec la MDMA ont également été étudiées. Nous montrons que les souris 5-HTT-/- ne s’auto-administrent pas la MDMA contrairement à leurs congénères sauvages. Les données obtenues par microdialyse montrent que les effets renforçants de la MDMA sont liés à l’induction de la libération de sérotonine par cette drogue. Nous démontrons l’existence d’une hypersensibilité de l’autorécepteur 5-HT1A chez des souris sauvages 28 jours après MDMA, ainsi qu’une baisse des taux tissulaires de sérotonine. Ce traitement à la MDMA provoque une baisse de la prolifération cellulaire. Utilisant le test de la nage forcée, nous mettons en évidence un allongement du temps d’immobilité chez les souris traitées par la MDMA. Ces modifications qui révèlent une action dépressiogène de la MDMA, ne sont pas observées chez les souris 5-HTT-/-The appetitive effects of MDMA have been evaluated using self-administration and microdialysis procedure. We’ve also studied putative long term adaptative changes following MDMA teatment. Our data show that 5-HTT-/- mice did not self-administrate MDMA when wild-type mice did. The absence of self-administration exhibited by 5-HTT-/- mice could be related to the blunted MDMA-induced 5-HT release observed in these same KO mice. About the long term effects of MDMA, we’ve found an increase of 5-HT1A autoreceptor sensitivity associated with a decrease of 5-HT tissue levels. Our data suggest also a decrease of cell proliferation 28 days after the MDMA treatment in WT mice. Finally MDMA-treated mice displayed a depressive-like behavior compared to saline-teated mice using the forced swim test. Interestingly all the adaptative changes following MDMA treatment were observed in WT mice but not in 5-HTT-/- mice
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Anderson, Katie. "Navigating intimacy with ecstasy : the emotional, spatial and boundaried dynamics of couples' MDMA experiences." Thesis, London South Bank University, 2017. http://researchopen.lsbu.ac.uk/1844/.
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MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine or ‘ecstasy’) is well-known for its empathic and sociable effects (Bogt, Engels, Hibbel & Van Wel, 2002). Indeed, there is a body of work that discusses the role the drug plays in social bonding (Beck & Rosenbaum, 1998; Duff, 2008; Farrugia, 2015; Hinchliff, 2001; Solowij, Hall & Lee, 1992). However, there has been extremely limited research looking at MDMA’s impact specifically on romantic relationships (Vervaeke & Korf, 2006). Hence, this thesis explored couples’ experiences of intimacy on MDMA and how this intertwines with their relationship. Semi-structured interviews with ten couples, using visual methods (Reavey, 2011; Del Busso, 2009; Majumdar, 2011), and eight individual written diaries (Kenten, 2010) were analysed using a thematic approach (Braun & Clarke, 2006). A ‘bubble’ (Sloterdijk, 1999 cited in Klauser, 2010) is argued to organically form around couples on MDMA, producing a distinct affective atmosphere of muted fear, worry and shame and heightened feelings of safety and love, which mediates emotional and discursive ‘practices’ of intimacy (Gabb & Fink, 2015). Movement, spaces and objects are also argued to facilitate intimacy, producing new subjectivities which alter boundaries: between self and world; within the self; and between self and other (Brown & Stenner, 2009). Yet beneath the seeming ‘flow’ to MDMA experiences, couples construct clear, symbolic boundaries, segmenting these experiences from both everyday life (Douglas, 2001), and other people (Stenner, 2013). The research is argued to have key implications for drug theory and practice, namely that drug use is not only an individual act (Duff, 2008) but also relational in nature – its meaning partly determined by how it interweaves with important relationships in people’s lives.
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Zetler, Sarah Ashne. "Users' explanations of their psychoactive substance use, with a particular focus on MDMA (Ecstasy)." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14319.
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Bibliography: leaves 99-106.This study explores ten psychoactive substance users' explanations of their MDMA usage with the aim of investigating how users explain their own substance abuse, and secondly to ascertain if and/or how their accounts diverge or converge with currently used models. Thirdly, it is intended to explore the extent to which users' accounts might contribute to a deeper understanding of repeated psychoactive behaviour.
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Mechan, Annis Olivia. "An investigation of the acute and longer-term effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy')." Thesis, De Montfort University, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2086/13281.
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Thompson, Valerie. "Prenatal exposure to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) has lasting consequences on neural development and behavior." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1276536722.
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Kolyaduke, Olga. "Long term effects of MDMA administration in rats during early and late adolescence." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Psychology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5571.
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Drug use and abuse for recreational purposes is a common phenomenon, with club drugs such as MDMA (3,4-methylendioxymethamphetamine) being popular for its energetic and euphoric effects – recreating an artificial feeling of “Ecstasy”. Although use of the drug itself has remained relatively constant over the years, the population among which it is popular has been shifting toward younger users, with MDMA use among adolescents becoming more prominent. However research on the effects that MDMA has on the developing adolescent brain has been limited. The current study focuses on the long term effects in rats following chronic MDMA exposure during either early or late adolescence. In adulthood, the rats’ memory, activity and emotional reactivity were assessed through frequency of ambulation, grooming, rearing, defecation, and corner or center occupancy of an open-field, novel object-recognition in the open-field, emergence from a dark chamber into a bright area, and recognition of the changed arm of the Y-maze. The results showed that there were significant long-term effects resulting in increased anxiety for rats treated with MDMA during late adolescence only. This increase of emotional reactivity was indicated through decreased ambulation on the open-field measures, decreased movement between the dark and light chambers, and decreased entries of both arms of the Y-maze. Sex of the animal was also found to differentiate MDMA effects, with females showing a greater increase in anxiety. Measures regarding spatial and working memory were not significant. Overall, the results suggest that animals are more susceptible to long-term effects following MDMA administration in late, but not early adolescence. Furthermore, memory appears to remain unaffected regardless of the age of administration, and only anxiety levels were affected by the drug.
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Stankevicius, Daniel. "Aspectos neuroimunológicos do ecstasy (N-metil-3,4-Metilenodioximetanfetamina-MDMA), na inflamação alérgica pulmonar em camundongos Balb/C." Universidade de São Paulo, 2010. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/42/42136/tde-28092010-143431/.
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O N-metil- 3-4, metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA) ou ecstasy tem sido freqüentemente usado por jovens. Analisamos neste trabalho, dentro de uma perspectiva neuroimune, os efeitos da administração aguda de MDMA em parâmetros comportamentais, neuroendócrinos, hematatológicos e imunes de camundongos Balb/C, usando para esta última finalidade um modelo de asma experimental. O MDMA produziu: 1- aumento diferencial da atividade locomotora nas diferentes zonas do campo aberto; aumento na locomoção total e diminuição da atividade exploratória no hole-board; aumento da porcentagem de entradas e da taxa de permanência nos braços abertos do LCE; aumento no tempo gasto na caixa de saída e diminuição do número de acessos de risco em uma caixa de exposição a um predador; 2- aumento dos níveis séricos de corticoterona; 3- aumento dos níveis de noradrenalina no estriado e córtex frontal, aumento nos níveis de dopamina e de DOPAC no estriado, diminuição dos níveis de DOPAC corticais, aumento de 5-HT e 5-HIAA no estriado, diminuição dos níveis de 5- HIAA e do turnover de serotonina no hipotálamo e diminuição do \"turnover\" de dopamina no estriado e córtex frontal; 4- alteração na migração de leucócitos em camundongos alérgicos com diminuição da porcentagem de linfócitos e monócitos circulantes, diminuição do número de granulócitos no lavado bronco alveolar (LBA), efeitos estes que foram revertidos pelo pré-tratamento com RU-486; 5 redução da expressão de L-selectinas por monócitos e tendência de redução da expressão de L -selectinas por neutrófilos no pulmão; 6- diminuição das produções espontâneas de IL-4, IL-5 e IL-10 e de IL-4 em cultura estimulada com LPS; 7- redução da contração da traquéia isolada de animais alérgicos e 8- redução da desgranulação dos mastócitos em brônquios intrapulmonares. Sugeriu-se que o estresse/ansiedade induzidos pelo MDMA tenham ativado o eixo HHA e/ou do sistema nervoso autonômico simpático dos camundongos, alterando a resposta imune dos mesmos na vigência de um modelo de asma. A inflamação alérgica pulmonar desponta, assim, como importante ferramenta para o entendimento da ação de drogas de abuso em processos neuroimunológicos.The N-metil- 3-4, metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA) or ecstasy is a drug widely used amongst young people. This study was undertaken to analyze, under a neuroimmune perspective, the effects of acute MDMA administration on behavioral, neuroendocrine, hematological and immune parameters on Balb/C mice, using for the latter purpose the allergic lung inflammatory response model. It was observed that MDMA produced in mice: 1- a differential increase on total locomotion in the different open-field zones; an increase on total locomotion and a decrease on exploratory activity in the hole-board; an increase on both percentage of entrances and time spent on plus-maze open arms; an increase on time spent in the starting box and a decrease of risk assessments in a predator exposition box; 2- an increase in corticosterone serum levels; 3- an increase in striatal and frontal cortex noradrenaline levels, an increase in striatal dopamine and DOPAC levels, a decrease in cortical DOPAC levels, an increase in striatal 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels, a decrease in both 5-HIAA levels and 5-HT turnover rates in hypothalamus and a decrease in striatal and cortical dopamine \"turnover\" rates; 4- an alteration on leukocyte migration in allergic mice, i.e., decreased percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes, decreased number of granulocytes on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( LBA); these effects were reverted by previous RU-486 treatment; 5- a decrease in L-selectin expression by monocytes and a tendency towards a decrease in L-selectin expression by lung neutrophils; 6- a decrease on expontaneous production of IL-4, IL-5 e IL-10 and IL-4 in LPS-stimulated cultures; 7- a decrease in the contraction of allergic mice isolated trachea; and, 8- a decrease in bronchial mastocytes degranulation. It was suggested that MDMA-induced anxiety/stress symptoms increasing HHA-axis and/or the autonomic nervous system activities this leading to the immune changes observed presently in the allergic lung inflammation model of asthma used. This model, thus, emerges as a useful tool for the understanding of neuroimmune effects of drugs of abuse.
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Agelii, Anna. "TREATING HORROR WITH ECSTASY : Neurobiological Rationale for Treating Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder with 3,4- methylenedioxymethylamphetamine." Thesis, Högskolan i Skövde, Institutionen för kommunikation och information, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:his:diva-8298.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling condition that afflicts 1-10% of the general population, with twice as high lifetime prevalence for women than men. Treatments exist, but none have proven reliable and consistent efficacy. A large minority of patients remain treatment-resistant despite undergoing several different types of treatment over extended periods of time. Recently completed studies in the U.S. and in Switzerland have demonstrated the potential of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant PTSD. One of the major problems of treating PTSD is the patients’ fear state and inability to form a therapeutic alliance. Both these issues can be facilitated through administration of MDMA; the psychological effects - such as heightened empathy, increased openness and diminished anxiety – seem well-suited for therapeutic purposes. The rationale behind treating PTSD with MDMA has been indicated in neuroimaging studies; MDMA affects some of the neural structures altered in patients with PTSD, most notably the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Using the Schedule 1 substance MDMA for this purpose is however controversial; animal studies have indicated that MDMA is neurotoxic, although no adverse effects on humans related to incidental use of MDMA in a controlled setting have been found. In conclusion, the data support that MDMA may be an efficient tool for treating PTSD, as well as safe and effective to use in a clinical context.
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Jones, Karen. "Tolerance to the behavioural and neurochemical effects of MDMA following repeated exposure : a thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology /." ResearchArchive@Victoria e-thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10063/1231.
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Paula, Viviane Ferraz de. "Avaliação dos efeitos do N-metil-3,4 metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA - Ecstasy) sobre parâmetros comportamentais, neuroendócrinos e de atividade de neutrófilos em camundongos." Universidade de São Paulo, 2007. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/47/47135/tde-23112007-155532/.
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Ecstasy é o nome popular do 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA), uma droga de abuso muito utilizada por adultos jovens. Diferentes relatos de caso têm mostrado correlações positivas entre o abuso do Ecstasy e doenças infecciosas. Muitos estudos em modelos animais mostraram que o MDMA induz alterações de imunidade inata e adquirida; entretanto pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos pelos quais estes efeitos ocorrem. Buscamos neste trabalho por efeitos da administração i.p. de MDMA sobre parâmetros comportamentais, neuroendócrinos e de atividade de neutrófilos e o fizemos à luz de mecanismos neuroimunomodulatórios. Nossos resultados mostraram que o MDMA (5,0; 8,0; 10,0 e 20,0 mg/kg) produz, 30 minutos após a administração (1) aumento da atividade locomotora avaliada no campo aberto e no LCE e (2) diminuição do burst oxidativo de neutrófilos após indução por Staphylococcus aureus nas doses de 8,0; 10,0 e 20,0 mg/kg. Adicionalmente, 60 minutos após a administração de 10,0 mg/kg observou-se (3) um aumento de atividade locomotora avaliada no campo aberto e no LCE, (4) aumento do turnover de noradrenalina e de dopamina no hipotálamo; (5) aumento do turnover de dopamina no estriato; (6) aumento dos níveis séricos de corticosterona; (7) diminuição do burst oxidativo após indução por SAPI e PMA e, também, da porcentagem e da intensidade de fagocitose por neutrófilos sanguíneos; (8) aumento do número de eritrócitos, da quantidade de hemoglobina e da porcentagem do hematócrito e diminuição do número de linfócitos sanguíneos; (9) diminuição do número total de células na medula óssea; (10) aumento do número de leucócitos e (11) diminuição do peso relativo do baço. A exposição in vitro ao MDMA (12) não alterou o burst oxidativo e a fagocitose por neutrófilos. Esses resultados sugerem que o MDMA produz ao mesmo tempo alterações comportamentais, neuroquímicas, endócrinas e imunológicas em camundongos. A estimulação motora dos animais parece relacionada a um aumento da atividade catecolaminérgica central e, muito especialmente, do sistema dopaminérgico estriatal. É possível sugerir que a alteração na imunidade inata após MDMA esteja relacionada ao aumento de atividade do eixo HHA e, conseqüentemente, dos níveis séricos de corticosterona. Não se descarta, porém, uma possível ativação do SNAS induzida pelo MDMA. Finalmente, observamos que o MDMA não tem efeito direto sobre neutrófilos.Ecstasy is the popular name of N-metil-3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a drug of abuse widely used by young adults. Different case reports have been demonstrating the existence of a positive correlation between Ecstasy abuse and the presence of infectious disease. Many studies conducted in animal models showed that MDMA reduces innate and adaptative immunity. However, little is known about the mechanisms behind these reported effects. In this work we searched for effects of i.p. MDMA administration on behavioral, neuroendocrines, and neutrophil activity in mice, especially parameters looking for neuroimmune relationships. We showed that MDMA treatment (5,0; 8,0; 10,0; and 20,0 mg/kg) produces after 30 minutes (1) increased locomotor activity in the open field and plus maze apparatuses, (2) decreased neutrophil oxidative burst after Staphylococcus aureus (SAPI) after in vitro induction 8,0, 10,0, and 20,0 mg/kg doses. Additionally, 60 minutes after MDMA (10,0 mg/kg) we observed (3) increased locomotor activity in the open field and plus maze apparatuses, (4) increased noradrenaline and dopamine turnover in the hypothalamus, (5) increased dopamine turnover in the striatum, (6) increased level of serum corticosterone, (7) decreased neutrophil oxidative burst after SAPI and PMA inductions, and also decreased percentage and intensity of neutrophil phagocitosis, (8) increased erythrocyte number, hemoglobin level, and hematocrit, and decreased peripheral blood Iymphocyte number, (9) decreased bane marrow total cell number, (10) increased leucocyte number on spleen and (11) splenic weight reduction. It was also observed that (12) in vitro exposure to MDMA induced no effects on both neutrophil oxidative burst and phagocytosis. These results suggest that MDMA produces at the same time behavioral, neurochemical, endocrine, and immunological alterations in mice. The increased locomotor activity observed seems to be related to an action on central catecholaminergic activity, mainly, at the level of the dopaminergic striatal system. It is also possible to suggest that the observed innate immunity alterations are related to an increased HPA axis activity induced by MDMA, via corticosterone. However, we cannot discharge a possible SNS activation induced by MDMA, a fact that could have contributed to the present reported effects. Finally, and importantly we observed that in vitro MDMA has no effects on neutrophil activity.
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Carmo, Helena Maria Ferreira da Costa Ferreira. "Estudo da Influência do metabolismo na toxicidade de derivados anfetamínicos : 4-MTA, 2C-B e MDMA." Tese, Porto : [Edição do Autor], 2007. http://catalogo.up.pt/F?func=find-b&local_base=UPB01&find_code=SYS&request=000108327.
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Carmo, Helena Maria Ferreira da Costa Ferreira. "Estudo da Influência do metabolismo na toxicidade de derivados anfetamínicos : 4-MTA, 2C-B e MDMA." Doctoral thesis, Porto : [Edição do Autor], 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10216/64021.
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Duzer, Marion. "Ecstasy : le point sur sa toxicité." Bordeaux 2, 1999. http://www.theses.fr/1999BOR2P046.
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Gucker, Pascale-Mariette. "Effects of ecstasy (MDMA) on the brain uptake of [¹¹C](+)McN-5652 studied by positron emission tomography /." [S.l.] : [s.n.], 2000. http://e-collection.ethbib.ethz.ch/show?type=diss&nr=13650.
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Gamma, Alex. "The clinical neuropsychopharmacology of MDMA ("ecstasy") : effects of long-term use on brain activity in young adults /." [S.l.], 2006. http://opac.nebis.ch/cgi-bin/showAbstract.pl?sys=000253359.
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Ferrington, Linda. "The acute and long-term effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'ecstasy') upon cerebral and cerebrovascular serotonergic processes." Thesis, Queen Margaret University, 2004. https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7368.
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The amphetamine derivative 3,4,-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy") is a recreational drug of abuse, particularly popular among young people with whom it has formed a well-established sub-culture. MDMA is popular for its euphoria-inducing and mild stimulant properties and its popularity continues to rise despite a number of well-publicised cases of MDMA-associated fatalities and evidence of MDMA-induced acute toxicity. MDMA is known to produce an acute efflux of serotonin (5-HT) release in the brains of experimental animals, in which a marked behavioural response is also demonstrated. In the long-term MDMA causes specific neurotoxic damage to serotonergic nerve terminals, a phenomenon which is not demonstrated in other neurotransmitters. MDMA use has been associated with long-term adverse effects on both psychological and physiological health and this may represent a major public health problem given the 2 million people who use the drug in the UK alone. However, there is a perceived imbalance between the relative number of those who use MDMA and the serious adverse effects of the drug and it is possible that these may occur in a more susceptible sub-population of users. This thesis involves in vivo work using the Dark Agouti (DA) rat strain which is known to be more susceptible to MDMA and which may therefore provide an insight in this more susceptible sub-population of human MDMA users. The data presented in this thesis demonstrate that a single exposure to MDMA (15mg.kg-1) has a significal effect upon local cerebral glucose utilisation (LCMRglu) and local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) in DA rats both acutely and in the longer-term. This work demonstrates that this single dose of MDMA is neurotoxic to serotonergic neurons, inducing up to 80% depletion of serotonergic nerve terminals 6 weeks later. Furthermore, data generated from pharmacological challenges upon animals treated with MDMA 6 weeks earlier demonstrates the existence of compensatory mechanisms which act to normalise LCMRglu and LCBF, despite the persistence of serotonergic depletion. Thus this thesis extends the currently available information regarding acute and long-term effects of MDMA in a vulnerable sub-population of users and also proposes potential theories for the mechanisms of action by which pharmacological compensation for these long-term effects of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity may occur. In addition this thesis examines the effects of previous exposure to MDMA upon physiological challenges that might realistically be encountered by human users of the drug. The nature of MDMA-induced neurotoxicity suggests that human users of MDMA may suffer from untreatable chronic psychosis, and this thesis lends support to the view that currently available first line anti-depressant therapies may not be useful in the treatment of this sub-section of the population.
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Davis, Alan Kooi. "Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to Predict Employing Harm Reduction Strategies Among Ecstasy Users." Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1431595589.
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Azaïs, Patrick. "Complications de la prise d'ectasy : à propos d'un cas." Montpellier 1, 1997. http://www.theses.fr/1997MON11164.
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Heuland, Emilie. "Effets de l'exposition prénatale au MDMA (« Ecstasy ») ou au méthylphénidate sur les systèmes dopaminergiques chez le rat adulte." Thesis, Tours, 2009. http://www.theses.fr/2009TOUR3801/document.
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L’Ecstasy (MDMA) et le Méthylphénidate (MPH) sont des psychostimulants qui agissent sur les systèmes monoaminergiques. L’exposition prénatale à ces molécules peut affecter les processus de maturation cérébrale et induire des effets à long terme sur le fonctionnement de ces systèmes. Notre étude a consisté en l’exploration des voies nigrostriée et mésocorticolimbique du système dopaminergique chez des rats adultes exposés en prénatal au MDMA ou au MPH, par la quantification de marqueurs du développement et de la neurotransmission dopaminergique. L'exposition prénatale au MDMA induit des altérations au niveau du mésencéphale et des projections mésocorticales impliquées dans les fonctions exécutives, et n’a peu ou pas d’effet sur les voies nigrostriée et mésolimbique. A l’inverse, l’exposition prénatale au MPH entraîne des modifications de ces deux voies, très impliquées dans le comportement de récompense. Ces résultats soulignent les effets sexe-dépendants et/ou région-spécifiques de l’exposition prénatale au MDMA ou au MPHEcstasy (MDMA) and Methylphenidate (MPH) are psychostimulants that act on monoaminergic systems. Prenatal exposure to these drugs may affect the brain maturation and induces long-term effects on the functioning of these systems. The present study was designed to explore the dopaminergic pathways in adult rats exposed to MDMA or MPH during prenatal period. Neurochemical evaluations of nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic pathways were performed by quantification of vesicular DA level and DA markers, such as tyrosine hydroxylase, DA transporters and receptors, in the nerve endings and body cells of dopaminergic neurons. Prenatal exposure of MDMA induces specific alterations in the midbrain and in the mesocortical dopaminergic projections with a higher vulnerability in female progeny and has little or no effect in mesolimbic and nigrostriatal projections. Inversely, a prenatal exposure to MPH led to structural alterations in these two dopaminergic pathways hightly involved in rewarding process. These findings underlined for the first time a basis for sex- and/or region-selective effects of prenatal MDMA or MPH exposure
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Gittings, Dave. "The role of dopamine in the sensitised locomotor activating effects of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in rats : a thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology /." ResearchArchive@Victoria e-thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10063/1232.
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Lapachinske, Silvio Fernandes. "Análises físicas e químicas de comprimidos de ecstasy apreendidos no município de São Paulo." Universidade de São Paulo, 2009. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/9/9141/tde-17072009-114817/.
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Drug profiling, isto é, a caracterização de amostras de drogas apreendidas no sentido de estabelecer conexões entre apreensões realizadas em diferentes épocas e/ou locais a uma origem comum de produção clandestina, tem sido um objetivo dos órgãos governamentais responsáveis pela prevenção/repressão. Especificamente tratando-se de comprimidos de ecstasy, o conhecimento de suas propriedades físicas e químicas é de relevante importância para discriminar a apreensão de diferentes lotes. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho propõe uma nova abordagem para estabelecer conexões entre apreensões de comprimidos de ecstasy, por meio da calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC), termogravimetria (TG) e difratometria de raios-X (DRX). Também foi realizada a caracterização física de todos os comprimidos (logotipo, coloração, massa, diâmetro e espessura), bem como a identificação/quantificação dos constituintes ativos por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (GC-MS) e o perfil de dissolução in vitro. Além disso, foi desenvolvido um método empregando a extração líquido-líquido para o isolamento da 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA) dos comprimidos de ecstasy, que posteriormente foi cristalizada para cloridrato de MDMA (MDMA.HCl). Foram analisados dezessete diferentes lotes de comprimidos de ecstasy de diversos logotipos e colorações apreendidos no município de São Paulo, Brasil. Apenas um lote apresentou como única substância ativa a clorofenilpiperazina (CPP). Os outros continham apenas MDMA e o conteúdo de MDMA variou de 29 a 115-mg/comprimido. Os valores de massa dos comprimidos variaram de 143 a 341-mg, a espessura de 3,2 a 5,8-mm e o diâmetro de 7,0 a 9,5-mm. A comparação das curvas obtidas, tanto por calorimetria exploratória diferencial (DSC) como pelos difratogramas de raios-X (DRX), permitiu discriminar aqueles com perfis semelhantes, importante para identificar a origem de produção. O baixo grau de cristalinidade do MDMA.HCl de alguns comprimidos de ecstasy não impediu a caracterização por DSC e DRX. Esses resultados podem ser úteis para a aplicação no trabalho de inteligência forense.Drug profiling or the characterization of seized drug samples to link seizures made at different times and/or locations to their common clandestine origin, has long been a goal of law enforcement agencies. Considering the trafficking of ecstasy tablets, the knowledge of chemical and physical properties is of utmost importance to discriminate between different seizures. In this context this study proposed a new approach to establish links among seizures of ecstasy tablets by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Besides this characterization, physical appearance (logotype, color, weight, diameter and thickness), identification/quantification of active constituents by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and in vitro drug dissolution assays were performed too. A method employing liquid-liquid extraction was also developed for the isolation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) from ecstasy tablets and afterwards MDMA was crystallized to MDMA hydrochloride (MDMA.HCl). Seventeen different lots of various logotypes and colors of confiscated ecstasy tablets from seizures in São Paulo city, Brazil, were analyzed. Chlorophenylpiperazine (CPP) was found only as an active ingredient in one batch. The others tablets contained only MDMA and the content of MDMA varied from 29 to 115-mg/tablet. The weight values of tablets varied from 143 to 341-mg, the thickness from 3,2 to 5,8-mm and the diameter from 7,0 to 9,5-mm. DSC/TG curves and X-ray difratograms of the ecstasy tablets allowed distinguishing those with similar profile, for both techniques, which is important to identify the source of production. The low degree of MDMA.HCl crystallinity of some ecstasy tablets didnt prevent DSC and XRD characterization. These results can be useful for forensic intelligence work application.
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Almeida, Nathália Siqueira. "Desenvolvimento e validação de metodologias para quantificação de 3,4 metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA) em comprimidos de ecstasy por cromatografia gasosa e ressonância magnética nuclear." reponame:Repositório Institucional da UnB, 2016. http://repositorio.unb.br/handle/10482/20723.
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Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Química, 2016.Submitted by Albânia Cézar de Melo (albania@bce.unb.br) on 2016-06-08T13:01:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_NathaliaSiqueiraAlmeida.pdf: 10329727 bytes, checksum: 8ac15e063817d1467f56b0d4f171b221 (MD5)
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A validação de um método analítico é essencial para demonstrar que ele é adequado para um determinado uso e para garantir a qualidade e a confiabilidade estatística das medidas, dos cálculos envolvidos no processamento dos dados e dos resultados experimentais obtidos. Para que um novo método possa ser incorporado nas operações de rotina de um laboratório, devem ser apresentadas evidências objetivas e rastreáveis de que requisitos específicos, denominados figuras de mérito, estão sendo atendidos. No caso da identificação e quantificação de drogas de abuso, a maioria dos processos de validação envolve métodos analíticos que exigem o uso do padrão certificado do analito. Essa é uma grande dificuldade no Brasil, uma vez que o acesso a padrões certificados de drogas de abuso é ainda muito restrito. No presente projeto, comprimidos de ecstasy, contendo o 3,4-metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA), apreendidos pelo Polícia Federal, foram caracterizados e tiveram seu princípio ativo quantificado por dois métodos para a construção do perfil químico da droga. A cromatografia gasosa com detector por ionização em chama (CG-DIC), utilizada rotineiramente em laboratórios forenses, foi utilizada como método de referência para avaliação da ressonância magnética nuclear de hidrogênio (RMN de 1H), que é um método ainda pouco utilizado. Os dois métodos foram validados, atendendo todos os requisitos do sistema de gestão da qualidade do laboratório central de química forense da Polícia Federal, obtendo resultados considerados adequados para linearidade, precisão, exatidão, robustez, seletividade, limites de detecção e quantificação e estimativa da incerteza de medição. As amostras de ecstasy analisadas no trabalho correspondem a 25 apreensões da Polícia Federal, em 6 estados brasileiros, de 2011 a 2013, e foram divididas em 39 lotes. A análise por CG-DIC demonstrou que a pureza das amostras variou de 10,5 % a 77,0 % e alguns adulterantes foram identificados em 15 % dos lotes. Apesar dos resultados quantitativos dos dois métodos terem sido equivalentes, o RMN de 1H se mostrou mais eficiente e versátil ao realizar tanto a identificação inequívoca quanto a quantificação do analito em uma mesma análise, uma vez que dispensa o uso de padrão do analito e a construção de curvas analíticas. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT
The validation of an analytical method is essential to demonstrate that it is suitable for a particular use and to ensure the quality and statistical reliability of the measures, the calculations involved in the data processing and the experimental results obtained. In order to incorporate a new method into the routine operations of a laboratory, must be presented objective and traceable evidences that specific requirements, called figures of merit, are being attended. Regarding identification and quantification of drugs of abuse, most of validation processes involve analytical methods that require the use of the analyte’s standard. Since the access to standards of drugs of abuse in Brazil is still very restricted, it brings a major difficulty to the validation process. In this project, ecstasy tablets containing 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), seized by the Federal Police, have been characterized and had the active ingredient quantified by two methods to achieve chemical profiling information. The gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) method, routinely used in forensic laboratories, was used as reference for evaluating the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) method, which is yet barely used. Both methods have been validated, complying with all requirements of the forensic chemistry central lab of Federal Police quality system, with suitable results for linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, selectivity, limits of detection and quantification and estimation of measurement uncertainty. The ecstasy samples analyzed in this work correspond to 25 Federal Police seizures, performed between 2011 and 2013, in 6 Brazilian states, and were divided into 39 batches. GC-FID analysis showed that sample purity ranged from 10.5 % to 77.0 % and some contaminants have been identified in 15 % of the batches. Despite quantitative results of both methods were equivalent, the 1H-NMR was more efficient and versatile to accomplish unambiguous identification and quantification of the analyte in a single analysis, since it doesn’t require the use of analyte’s standard and the construction of calibration curves.
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Ball, Kevin Thomas. "Electrophysiological and structural alterations in striatum associated with behavioral sensitization to MDMA (ecstasy) in rats role of drug context /." [Bloomington, Ind.] : Indiana University, 2007. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3278459.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Program in Neuroscience, 2007.Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-10, Section: B, page: 7017. Adviser: George Rebec. Title from dissertation home page (viewed May 20, 2008).
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Comis, Maria Angélica de Castro [UNIFESP]. "Crenças atribuídas à opção de não usar MDMA (ecstasy): estudo qualitativo entre não usuários, usuários experimentais e ex-usuários." Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 2011. http://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/9279.
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Previous issue date: 2011-01-26Introdução: Embora o ecstasy (MDMA) seja uma droga consumida freqüentemente no contexto da cena eletrônica, nem todas as pessoas que tem oportunidade de usá-la neste contexto o fazem. Este estudo teve por objetivo compreender os motivos atribuídos ao não uso da droga ou parada do seu uso, no sentido de fornecer subsídios para ações de Prevenção ou de Redução de Danos (RD). Métodos: A amostra foi composta a partir da técnica de bola de neve. Por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada e individual, participaram do estudo 53 pessoas divididas em três grupos: Não Usuários (NU, n=23), Usuários Experimentais (EXP, n=12) e Ex-usuários (EX-US, n=18). A transcrição literal foi submetida à análise de conteúdo com auxílio do software NVivo8. Resultados: Não usuários (NU) e usuários experimentais (EXP) atribuíram motivos mais relacionados aos receios dos efeitos, bem como aos princípios morais, familiares e religiosos. Os ex-usuários (EX-US) alegaram justificativas relacionadas a complicações de saúde, e ao concomitante afastamento do contexto de uso, mas a maioria afirmou não descartar a possibilidade de uso futuro. Os aspectos de saúde, os valores e o contexto estiveram presentes nos três grupos. Considerações finais: Os efeitos negativos e/ou conseqüências adversas parecem ter norteado a decisão dos diferentes grupos, e deveriam ser utilizados para ações preventivas universais. Para aqueles que já usaram a droga, tanto o contexto social como o ambiental parecem ter sido os fatores mais importantes para a tomada de decisão, evidenciando a importância do contexto para as ações de prevenção seletiva e de redução de danos.
Introduction: Although ecstasy (MDMA) is a drug mostly consumed in the eletronic scene context, not all individuals who faces an opportunity to use ecstasy do it. This study aimed at understanding the reasons ascribed to not using or stop using ecstasy in order to contribute to preventive actions or damage reduction activities. Methods: Snowball sampling was applied. By means of individual semi-structured interview, 53 participants were allocated in three groups: non-users (NU, n = 23), experimental users (EXP, n = 12) and ex-users (EX-US, n = 18). Literal transcriptions were submitted to content analyses using NVivo8. Results: Non-users (NU) and experimental users (EXP) attributed reasons mostly related to fear of effects and moral, family or religious principles. Ex-users (EX-U) claimed reasons related to health complications and being apart from the context of use, but they did not discard the possibility of future use. Aspects related to health, values and context were present at all groups. Final considerations: Negative effects and/or adverse consequences seem to lead the decisions among the different groups, and such information should be used by universal preventive actions. For those who have already used ecstasy, both social and environmental context seem to be the most important factors for decision making, evidencing the importance of context for selective prevention and damage reduction actions.
TEDE
BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações
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Alves, Ema Luís Pereira Gomes. "Neurotoxicity of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; Ecstasy) and its Main Metabolites, on Rat Brain Mitochondria In Vitro and In Vivo - Behavioral Consequences." Tese, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10216/7499.
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