Behavioral effects of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) on adult zebrafish
Adam Stewart, Russell Riehl, Keith Wong, Jeremy Green, Jessica Cosgrove, Karoly Vollmer, Evan J. Kyzar, Peter C. Hart, Alexander V. Allain, Jonathan Cachat, Siddharth Gaikwad, Molly Hook, Kate Rhymes, Alan Newman, Eli Utterback, Katie Chang, Allan V. Kalueff
Behavioural Pharmacology April 8, 2011 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e328345f758 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 0.25-120 mg/l |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Danio Zebrafish Hallucinogen Habituation Euphoriant Pharmacology Neurotoxicity |
| Citations | 66 |
| Key findings | High doses of MDMA reduce bottom swimming and immobility and impair habituation in zebrafish, while lower doses are inactive. |
Abstract
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is a potent psychedelic drug inducing euphoria and hypersociability in humans, as well as hyperactivity and anxiety in rodents. Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a widely used species in neurobehavioral research. Here, we explore the effects of a wide range (0.25-120 mg/l) of acute MDMA doses on zebrafish behavior in the novel tank test. Although MDMA was inactive at lower doses (0.25-10 mg/l), higher doses reduced bottom swimming and immobility (40-120 mg/l) and impaired intrasession habituation (10-120 mg/l). MDMA also elevated brain c-fos expression, collectively confirming the usage of zebrafish models for screening of hallucinogenic compounds.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 18
- Effects of hallucinogenic agents mescaline and phencyclidine on zebrafish behavior and physiology Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 10, 2012
- Unique and potent effects of acute ibogaine on zebrafish: the developing utility of novel aquatic models for hallucinogenic drug research. Behavioural Brain Research 2013
- Exploring Hallucinogen Pharmacology and Psychedelic Medicine with Zebrafish Models Zebrafish March 22, 2016
- Acute behavioral and Neurochemical Effects of Novel N -Benzyl-2-Phenylethylamine Derivatives in Adult Zebrafish ACS Chemical Neuroscience June 7, 2022
- The Non-Peptide Arginine-Vasopressin v1a Selective Receptor Antagonist, SR49059, Blocks the Rewarding, Prosocial, and Anxiolytic Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Its Derivatives in Zebra Fish Frontiers in Psychiatry August 13, 2017
and 13 more in the library
Cites 17
- Human Pharmacology of MDMA Therapeutic Drug Monitoring March 19, 2004
- The effects of non-medically used psychoactive drugs on monoamine neurotransmission in rat brain. European Journal of Pharmacology March 22, 2007
- Importance of ERK activation in behavioral and biochemical effects induced by MDMA in mice British Journal of Pharmacology October 29, 2003
- The psychotherapeutic potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): an evidence-based review. Psychopharmacology April 1, 2007
- Role of Serotonin via 5-HT2B Receptors in the Reinforcing Effects of MDMA in Mice PLoS One November 20, 2009
and 12 more in the library