Emotional Effects of Methylphenidate and MDMA in Healthy Subjects

This study compares the interactive emotional/subjective effects of single doses of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) and methylphenidate, a dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) transporter blocker, in healthy subjects.

The primary goal is to determine the role of transporter mediated DA and NE release in the subjective response to MDMA in humans. The investigators hypothesize that methylphenidate will attenuate the subjective response to MDMA.

Topic Healthy Subjects
Compound MDMA
Country Switzerland
Visit trial
Status Completed
Results Published
Start date 12 January 2011
End date 01 January 2013
Chance of happening 100%
Phase Phase I
Design Open
Type Interventional
Generation First
Participants 16
Sex All
Age 18- 45
Therapy No

Trial Details

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") is widely used by young people for its euphoric effects. MDMA releases serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE). 5-HT release mainly contributes to the subjective effects of MDMA whereas NE release is involved in the cardiovascular and psychostimulant effects of MDMA. DA is also likely to be involved in the rewarding and reinforcing effects of drugs of abuse. However, the functional role of DA in the subjective effects of MDMA in humans is largely unclear. To determine the role of the DA transporter (DAT) in the response to MDMA in humans the investigators test the effects of the DA and NE transporter blocker methylphenidate on the subjective effects of MDMA. The investigators use a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design with four experimental sessions. methylphenidate or placebo will be administered before MDMA or placebo to 16 healthy volunteers. Subjective and cardiovascular responses will be repeatedly assessed throughout the experiments and plasma samples are collected for pharmacokinetics. The primary hypothesis is that methylphenidate will significantly reduce the subjective effects of MDMA.

NCT Number NCT01465685

Sponsors & Collaborators

University of Basel
The University of Basel Department of Biomedicine hosts the Liechti Lab research group, headed by Matthias Liechti.

Data attribution

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