The Parkinson Paradox
MDMA also affects dopamine release, which may be central to both its psychological
action and its neurotoxicity. Experiments have suggested that pretreatment
of an animal with a drug which blocks dopamine release will also block
MDMA neurotoxicity. Also serotonin specific releasing agents which are
non dopaminergic have been synthesised and been found to be devoid of MDMA’s
neurotoxicity and psychological effects in animals (Yamamoto
and Spanos 1988, Battaglia et al 1988).
One case study has associated a single MDMA dose with the onset of parkinsonian
symptoms but this study was fundamentally floored in that it could be conclusively
demonstrated that the tablet taken did not contain MPTP which is know to
cause Parkinsonism (Mintzer 1999). Research
is currently being undertaken in Manchester to evaluate the effects of
MDMA on reducing the side effects of L-dopa therapy in Parkinson’s patients.
This research has been greeted with some scepticism but it has been known
for some time that MDMA can indirectly inhibit the firing and release of
dopamine in nigrostriatal dopamine neurones due to local 5-HT release,
so while MDMA may be expected to exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson’s
disease it could also be expected to reduce the involuntary movements caused
by L-dopa therapy.
