MDMA Methylone and MDPV: Drug-induced Brain Hyperthermia and its Modulation by Activity State and Environment

摘要

Psychomotor stimulants are frequently used by humans to intensify subjective experience of different types of social interactions. Since psychomotor stimulants enhance metabolism and increase body temperatures, their use under conditions of psychophysiological activation and often in warm, humid environments that prevent normal heat loss could result in pathological hyperthermia, a life-threatening symptom of acute drug intoxication. Here, we will describe the brain hyperthermic effects of MDMA, MDPV and methylone, three structurally-similar recreational drugs commonly used by young adults during raves and other forms of social gatherings. After a short introduction on brain temperature and basic mechanisms underlying its physiological fluctuations, we will consider how the hyperthermic effects of these drugs are modulated in rats under conditions of social interaction and at warm ambient temperature. We will also discuss the mechanisms underlying hyperthermic effects of these drugs, particularly the roles of intra-brain heat production due to metabolic brain activation and peripheral vasoconstriction. Finally, we will present our recent data, which compared the efficacy of different pharmacological strategies for reversing MDMA-induced brain and body hyperthermia. These data could be important not only for understanding the potential dangers of each drug, but also the development of a pharmacotherapy to alleviate drug-induced hyperthermia and potentially save the lives of highly-intoxicated individuals.