SLEEP AND NOCTURNAL ENDOCRINE FUNCTION IN MDMA USERS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. (+)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") is an increasingly popular psychoactive drug of abuse that has been shown to be a potent brain serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin in animals. Growing evidence in recreational MDMA users indicates that MDMA can also produce 5-HT damage in humans, and that MDMA use may lead to alterations in sleep and neuroendocrine function. Since 5-HT is involved in the regulation of sleep, circadian patterns, and endocrine function, previously identified abnormalities in sleep and endocrine function may be related to MDMA-induced 5-HT injury. The proposed studies are intended to extend previous studies of sleep and neuroendocrine function in MDMA users, and explore possible interrelations between sleep and nocturnal neuroendocrine function in MDMA users and matched controls.