Influence of Bupropion on the Effects of MDMA

The purpose of this study is to determinate the effect of a pre-treatment with bupropion, a dopamine and norepinephrine transporter inhibitor, on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”). The study will provide further understanding of the dopaminergic regulation of mood.

Topic Healthy Subjects
Compound MDMA Placebo
Country Switzerland
Visit trial
Status Completed
Results Published
Start date 01 January 2013
End date 09 January 2013
Chance of happening 100%
Phase Phase I
Design Blinded
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 mediates the reinforcing addiction-related effects of drugs of abuse but it is unclear whether DA contributes to the acute effects of MDMA in humans. To determine the role of DA transporter-mediated DA release in the acute response to MDMA in humans the investigators test the effects of the DA transporter inhibitor bupropion on the physiological and subjective effects of MDMA. The investigators use a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over design with four experimental sessions. Bupropion 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 bupropion reduces the MDMA-induced increase in positive mood.

NCT Number NCT01771874

Sponsors & Collaborators

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

Papers

First Time View on Human Metabolome Changes after a Single Intake of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine in Healthy Placebo-Controlled Subjects
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study (n=15) investigated changes in endogenous plasma metabolites following a single intake of MDMA (125 mg) and found an overall increase in oxidative stress indicated by the metabolic ratio of methionine-sulfoxide over methionine.

Data attribution

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