The role of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors in MDMA self-administration
January 1, 2016 Dane Aronsen
MDMA is a less effective reinforcer than other drugs of abuse, but after repeated self-administration, some animals increase responding and its efficacy becomes comparable. Serotonin (5-HT) release is negatively associated with acquisition of MDMA self-administration, and neurotoxic 5-HT lesions reduce the latency to acquire it. This study investigated the roles of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors. Repeated administration of the agonist RU 24969, which down-regulates these receptors, greatly facilitated acquisition of MDMA self-administration. However, there was no correlation between individual variability in receptor responses and acquisition latency, and substantial MDMA self-administration did not alter these responses. The findings suggest that other 5-HT receptors likely have a greater impact on MDMA self-administration.