Role of the endocannabinoid system in MDMA intracerebral self‐administration in rats
Daniela Braida, Mariaelvina Sala
British Journal of Pharmacology August 1, 2002 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0704825 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Interventions | MDMA CP 55 940 SR 141716A |
| Dose | MDMA 0.01–2 μg per infusion; CP 55,940 0.4 μg per infusion; SR 141716A 0.5 mg kg⁻¹ i.p. |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Self-administration Pharmacology Anesthesia |
| Citations | 64 |
| Key findings | MDMA self-administration in rats is modulated by the endocannabinoid system, as a cannabinoid agonist reduces and a CB1 antagonist increases MDMA intake. |
Abstract
I.c.v. self‐administration of MDMA (0.01–2 μg per infusion), alone and in combination with CP 55,940 (0.4 μg infusion −1 ), was studied on an operant responding procedure. On the basis of individual preference for one of two levers, developed during training, rats were allowed to self‐administer vehicle from the preferred lever and MDMA from the other. Pressings on the MDMA associated‐lever, except for the maximal unit dose, progressively increased. The combination of CP 55,940 with MDMA (1 μg infusion −1 ) reduced the number of drug‐associated lever pressings compared to the single drugs. Pre‐treatment with SR 141716A (0.5 mg kg −1 i.p.), 15 min before each daily session, significantly increased MDMA self‐administration. These findings suggest that MDMA self‐administration is under endogenous tonic control by the endocannabinoid system. British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 136 , 1089–1092. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0704825