Grob Research- MDMA for Neural Growth?

[MachineGunBallad]

In PD it was mentioned that Charles Grob found that low doses of MDMA stimulated neural growth, while higher doses, such as those taken recreationally, can have damaging effects. Has anyone else read this report? Does anyone know the doses that would be taken to promote neural growth? Has anyone tried daily MDMA intake at very low doses?

 

[theWorldWithin]

No but a link would be awsome, sounds very interesting.

 

[bigmac74]

There's this article on the newscientist website, but I can't find the study.

http://www.newscientist.com/channel...cstasy-as-a-brain-booster-for-parkinsons.html

 

[raybeez]

The research cited in that newscientist article hasn't yet been published in a peer reviewed scientific journal.

The research in question comes off of a poster presented by Jack Lipton's research group at the 2006 Society for Neuroscience conference. I was able to find a reprint of the poster's abstract on their website, but until this gets submitted to an actual journal, it will be impossible to get the full experimental details.

Program#/Poster#: 756.16/DD18
Title: MDMA (Ecstasy) enhances dopamine cell survival and neurite outgrowth in vitro
Location: Georgia World Congress Center: Halls B3-B5
Presentation Start/End Time: Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006, 11:00 AM -12:00 PM
Authors: K. L. PAUMIER1, C. E. SORTWELL2, T. J. COLLIER2, E. G. TOLOD3, N. G. CAMPBELL3, *J. W. LIPTON4;
1Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 2Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 3Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 4Dept Psych, Univ Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH.

We previously demonstrated that prenatal exposure to MDMA results in a 3-fold increase in tyrosine hydroxylase positive (TH+) fiber density in the prefrontal cortex and a significantly increased TH+ staining intensity in striatum. The present study sought to determine whether the neurite branching observed from MDMA in vivo could be reproduced in an in vitro cell culture model. Dissected embryonic ventral mesencephalic (VM) DA neurons (E14) were exposed to physiologic levels (based upon a previous in vivo pharmacokinetic study) of MDMA or its metabolite MDA for 96 hr within a hormone-supplemented serum-free media and evaluated for survival and neurite outgrowth. We were repeatedly able to demonstrate that MDMA significantly increased DA neuron survival by in vitro by 280 to 370%. Similarly, the MDMA metabolite, MDA, also increased DA neuron survival by 230% within the same concentration range. However, at non-physiologic high doses, MDMA and MDA were neurotoxic. It is therefore evident that MDMA and MDA can directly increase DA neuron survival and neurite outgrowth independent of maternal factors. This novel finding now documented both in vivo and in vitro may lead to new therapeutic targets to enhance DA neuron survival for cell replacement therapies for disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease.

Disclosures: K.L. Paumier, None; C.E. Sortwell, None; T.J. Collier, None; E.G. Tolod, None; N.G. Campbell, None; J.W. Lipton , None.
Support: NIH Grant DA019261 NIH Grant DA017399

 

[e1evene1even]

I think I may have been the person who wrote the post you are referring to. The quote was from "THE ECSTASY MANIFESTO - Can MDMA Use Be Made Safer?"

E. Neuronal growth and reorganization

In contrast to the administration of high doses of MDMA that act as a selective serotonergic neurotoxin in animals, the administration of low concentrations of MDMA produce the opposite effect, stimulating neuronal growth. MDMA’s release of serotonin modulates receptor enzymes and stimulates astrocytes to release Neurotrophic Growth Factors (NGF). These actions, in turn, cause neurons to develop and innervate new target areas in the brain. (75-77)

Stimulating neurons to morphologically reorganize, known as neuroplasticity, has the potential to correct underlying causes of neurochemical imbalances. It may be possible to re-engineer neuronal structures and activity to create a biochemical state of lasting well being and happiness. (78)

 

[lenses]

MDMA is somewhat akin to an SSRI , and SSRI'S are known to help with nerve growth. I'll dig up some studies if anyone is interested.