NeuN Expression Alterations in the Hippocampus Following Ecstasy Treatment

The administration of 3-4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) leads to learning and memory impairment..
Due to the effect of neurogenesis on memory and learning, in this study, we investigated the effects of MDMA on NeuN expression (a marker of neurogenesis) in the hippocampus..
Adult male Wistar rats (weighing 200 - 250 g) received a single intraperitoneal dose of 10 mg/kg of MDMA or were left undisrupted. The expression of NeuN was assessed using the immunohistochemistry method 7, 14, 28, and 60 days following MDMA administration..
Our results showed that MDMA administration caused a decrease in NeuN expression in the experimental group compared with the control group..
These results suggest a negative correlation between MDMA administration and adult hippocampal neurogenesis..