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MDMA in Adolescent Male Rats

Raquel Faria, Ana Magalhães, Pedro Monteiro, Joana Gomes‐da‐silva, Maria Amélia Ferreira, Teresa Summavielle

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences August 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1369.062 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Controlled experiment Peer reviewed
Sample size 12
Population Adolescent male rats (postnatal day 45)
Intervention MDMA
Dose 10 mg/kg every 2 h for 6 h
Duration 10 days after exposure
Topics Anxiety MDMA Serotonin
Keywords Elevated plus maze Dopamine Neurotoxicity Saline Endocrinology Pharmacology
Citations 29
Key findings MDMA exposure in adolescent rats led to long-term serotonin depletion in the amygdala and increased anxiety-like behavior.

Abstract

Abstract: Long‐term behavioral consequences of the neurotoxicity produced by 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the adolescent rat are still mostly unknown. Here, adolescent male rats (postnatal day 45 PND [45]) were exposed to 10 mg/kg of MDMA, intraperitoneally, every 2 h for 6 h. Controls were given 0.9% saline in the same protocol. Ten days after exposure, the behavioral effects of MDMA were assessed in the elevated plus‐maze ( n = 6 per group). After behavioral testing, animals were sacrificed and the amygdalae were dissected and processed for HPLC determination of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5‐HT), and metabolites. Results showed a significant decrease in the 5‐HT content ( P < 0.05), but no significant alterations in DA or its metabolites. Behavioral observation in the elevated plus‐maze showed a decreased number of entries in the unprotected arms ( P < 0.05), which were correlated to the number of entries and time spent in the central platform. Rearing was also decreased ( P < 0.05). No differences were observed in head dips, grooming, or number of entries in the protected arms of the apparatus. Therefore, we conclude that, as in the adult rat, exposure to MDMA in the adolescent rat is associated to long‐term depletion of the 5‐HT content and increased anxiety‐like behavior.

Comparable studies

Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA for anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine facilitates fear extinction learning Mice 2015 Preclinical experimental study
Effects of acute social stress on the conditioned place preference induced by MDMA in adolescent and adult mice Adolescent (postnatal day 29-40) and adult (postnatal day 50-61) male mice 2014 Experimental study
Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Rodents 2024 Review
Differential behavioral outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA-ecstasy) in anxiety-like responses in mice 2-month-old Balb/c male mice (25-35 g) 2013 Observational study n = 70
Methylone is a rapid-acting neuroplastogen with less off-target activity than MDMA Rats 2024 Preclinical study

Citations in the library

Cited by 11

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