A single neurotoxic dose of MDMA decreases BDNF expression in the frontoparietal cortex but not in the hippocampus
Background The popular recreational abuse drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy') produces acute and long-lasting deficits in several markers of the serotonergic (5-HT) system. BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic factor) is a prominent trophic factor of serotonergic fibers. The aim of this study was to characterize the damage of serotonergic fibers in the frontoparietal cortex and hippocampus in parallel with the expression of BDNF.