Investigators: Matthias Liechti MD, Cedric Hysek PhD
Funding: Swiss National Science Foundation, University of Basel.
A series of studies investigating the role of the noradrenergic (norepinephrine) system plays in producing the physiological, neuroendocrine and subjective effects of MDMA, including an examination of the effects of noradrenergic drugs on the effects of MDMA on emotion perception. The studies have also considered potential use of specific noradrenergic drugs as means of ameliorating cardiovascular and thermoregulatory effects of MDMA in humans.
A series of studies investigating the role of the noradrenergic (norepinephrine) system plays in producing the physiological, neuroendocrine and subjective effects of MDMA, including an examination of the effects of noradrenergic drugs on the effects of MDMA on emotion perception. The studies have also considered potential use of specific noradrenergic drugs as means of ameliorating cardiovascular and thermoregulatory effects of MDMA in humans.
- Hysek CM, Vollenweider FX, Liechti ME (2010) Effects of a beta-blocker on the cardiovascular response to MDMA (Ecstasy). Emerg Med J 27:586-589.
- Simmler LD, Hysek CM, Liechti ME (2011) Sex differences in the effects of MDMA (ecstasy) on plasma copeptin in healthy subjects. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 96:2844-2850.
- Hysek CM, Simmler LD, Ineichen M, Grouzmann E, Hoener MC, Brenneisen R, Huwyler J, Liechti ME (2011) The norepinephrine transporter inhibitor reboxetine reduces stimulant effects of MDMA (“ecstasy”) in humans. Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics 90:246-255.
- Hysek CM, Brugger R, Simmler LD, Bruggisser M, Donzelli M, Grouzmann E, Hoener MC, Liechti ME (2012) Effects of the alpha2-adrenergic agonist clonidine on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine in healthy volunteers. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 340:286-294.
- Hysek CM, Domes G, Liechti ME (2012) MDMA enhances “mind reading” of positive emotions and impairs “mind reading” of negative emotions. Psychopharmacology (Berl).
- Hysek CM, Schmid Y, Rickli A, Simmler LD, Donzelli M, Grouzmann E, Liechti ME (2012) Carvedilol inhibits the cardiostimulant and thermogenic effects of MDMA in humans. British journal of pharmacology.