Inhibition of MAO-B protects against MDMA-induced neurotoxicity in the striatum.

The effects of the MAO-B inhibitors, L-deprenyl and MDL-72974 on MDMA-induced serotonergic neurotoxicity in rats were examined. MDMA alone produced a significant decrease in the number of 5-HT uptake sites, measured as a decrease in the Bmax for binding of [3H]paroxetine, and in 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in the striatum. L-Deprenyl and MDL-72974 attenuated this MDMA-induced decrease in serotonergic markers. The data suggest a key role for MAO-B in the expression of the neurotoxicity produced by MDMA in the striatum.