The Role of Serotonin in Low Level Visual Processes, as Revealed by Using an "Ecstasy" (MDMA)-Based Research Model

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggests that regular ‘ecstasy’ (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA) use causes lasting changes to central serotonergic functioning in humans, including in the occipital lobe. Brown, Edwards, et al. [1] proposed that MDMA-related serotonergic changes in the occipital lobe may reduce lateral inhibition between occipital neurons involved in low level visual perception, resulting in broadening the tuning bandwidths of those neurons.