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D'Esposito M. 
“Serotonin neurotoxicity: implications for cognitive neuroscience and neurology”. 
Neurology. 1998 Dec;51(6):1529-30.
Abstract
In a study reported in this issue of Neurology, Bolla et al. found that abstinent users of the recreational drug 'Ecstasy' (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) have memory impairment. Moreover, the memory impairment correlated with the degree of drug exposure, and most importantly, with a reduction in brain serotonin, as indexed by CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The implications of this finding for public health are obvious, because the use of this drug is increasing steadily in college students and young adults. This study suggests that Ecstasy abusers risk serotonin neurotoxicity and permanent memory impairment. Clearly, additional research is necessary to determine the exact mechanism of the neurotoxic effects of this drug and the long-term outcome of Ecstasy use in individuals.
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