The rewarding properties of MDMA are preserved in mice lacking µ‐opioid receptors
Patricia Robledo, Victoria Mendizábal, Jordi Ortuño, Rafael de la Torre, Brigitte L. Kieffer, Rafaël Maldonado
European Journal of Neuroscience July 15, 2004 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03532.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study using knockout mice Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Μ-opioid receptor knockout mice and wild-type mice |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 10 mg/kg, i.p. |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Nucleus accumbens Conditioned place preference Dopaminergic Pharmacology Dopamine receptor Homovanillic acid Opioid receptor Knockout mouse Microdialysis |
| Citations | 40 |
| Key findings | Μ-opioid receptors do not play a major role in the rewarding properties of MDMA or in MDMA-induced dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. |
Abstract
Abstract The involvement of µ‐opioid receptors in the rewarding properties of MDMA was explored in µ‐opioid receptor knockout mice using the conditioning place preference paradigm. The associated release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens was investigated by in vivo microdialysis. A significant rewarding effect of MDMA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was observed in both wild‐type and µ‐opioid receptor knockout mice. MDMA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) also induced similar increases in dopamine and decreases in 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in the nucleus accumbens dialysates of both wild‐type and µ‐opioid receptor knockout mice. No significant differences in basal levels of dopamine, 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic or homovanillic acids between wild‐type and µ‐opioid receptor knockout mice were observed. In summary, the present results suggest that, in contrast to what has been reported for other drugs of abuse such as opioids, ethanol, nicotine and Δ 9 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol, µ‐opioid receptors do not play a major role in the rewarding properties of MDMA. These differences could be due to distinct mechanisms controlling dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and suggest that the effects of MDMA on dopaminergic neurons are independent of µ‐opioid receptors.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 14
- The ugly side of amphetamines: short- and long-term toxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’), methamphetamine and d-amphetamine Biological Chemistry January 2, 2011
- Effects of repeated treatment with MDMA on working memory and behavioural flexibility in mice Addiction Biology January 19, 2012
- Of mice and men on MDMA: a translational comparison of the neuropsychobiological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy'). Brain Research November 14, 2019
- The involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced place preference and behavioral sensitization. Behavioural Brain Research May 1, 2017
- Abuse potential of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and its derivatives in zebrafish: role of serotonin 5HT2-type receptors. Psychopharmacology August 2016
and 9 more in the library
Cites 9
- Human Pharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine ("Ecstasy"): Psychomotor Performance and Subjective Effects Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology August 1, 2000
- Potentiation of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced dopamine release and serotonin neurotoxicity by 5-HT2 receptor agonists. European Journal of Pharmacology November 3, 1994
- Importance of ERK activation in behavioral and biochemical effects induced by MDMA in mice British Journal of Pharmacology October 29, 2003
- Reinforcing Effects of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) in Drug-Naive and Cocaine-Trained Rats Pharmacology 2001
- The pharmacology and clinical pharmacology of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy"). Pharmacological Reviews September 2003
and 4 more in the library