The Effect of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy) and Citalopram on Survival of new Generated Cells in Adult Rat Hippocampus - Pilot Study
Abstract
Two primary zone of neurognesis were identified in the adult mammal brain. These zones are localized in the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone.
New generated cells can be imunohistochemically stained against the mitotic marker Ki-67 or by bromdeoxyridine (BrdU). BrdU is a tymide analog, which is incorporated into the DNA during cell division.
In our pilot study, we monitor the effect of MDMA and citalopram on survival of newly generated neurons in the dentate gyrus of rats. Semi-quantification of BrdU positive cells in the dentate gyrus determined that the application of MDMA (5 mg/kg, 2x day) decreased the number of BrdU-positive cells compared to the control group.
The application of citalopram (30 mg/kg, 2x day) did not influence the survival of new cells in rat hippocampus. It is not yet clear why MDMA, which similar to citalopram inhibits transporter for serotonin, decreases the neurogenesis.