MDMA and glutamate release: Effects on Memory and GABA-ergic Cell Death

Through previous research it is already known that MDMA has effects on various neurotransmitter systems. However not much was known regarding on whether there was an effect on other neurotransmitters such as glutamate. Why is this important? Well, according to an article by Anneken J.H., et al. (2012) it has been demonstrated that MDMA produces increases in glutamate release in the hippocampus. (Anneken, J. H., et al., 2012) This is important since glutamate release has been associated with learning and memory making. The way this happens is through long term potentiation of glutamatergic receptors. Put in simpler terms, this means that the synaptic connections are stronger for a brief period of time in glutamate receptors. 

This image was obtained from: http://bio1152.nicerweb.com/Locked/media/ch49/LTP.html
A visual example of glutamate release and NMDA receptors before long term potentiation

This enhances NMDA receptor function, a receptor for glutamate. This enhancement in receptor function has shown to improve long term memory but not permanently. One more thing to know is that too much release of glutamate can be toxic to nerve cells as it seems to damage various areas in the brain. A reason for this is due to strong activation of NMDA receptors which seems to trigger neuronal cell death. Using this information we can comprehend how in the article mentioned earlier there was GABA-ergic neuron death, which occurred specifically in the hippocampus in rats. These findings seem to be indicating that MDMA promotes the neuron death produced by the excess glutamate, specifically in the hippocampus which is crucial in memory consolidation and by consequence affects learning processes.