Influence of PCPA and MDMA (ecstasy) on physiology, development and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster
Sameera Dasari, Kert Viele, Amy Turner, Robin L. Cooper
European Journal of Neuroscience July 1, 2007 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05655.x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Larval Drosophila melanogaster |
| Intervention | 3 |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Dopamine 5-HT Receptor Drosophila melanogaster Central nervous system Neurotransmitter Endocrinology Pharmacology |
| Citations | 40 |
| Key findings | PCPA and MDMA delay development and reduce locomotion and feeding in larval Drosophila, with PCPA decreasing serotonin and dopamine levels and altering central nervous system sensitivity to serotonin, while MDMA enhances central sensitivity without reducing serotonin. |
Abstract
Abstract The effects of para‐chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) and 3,4 methylenedioxy‐methamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) were investigated in relation to development, behavior and physiology in larval Drosophila . PCPA blocks the synthesis of serotonin (5‐HT) and MDMA is known to deplete 5‐HT in mammalian neurons; thus these studies were conducted primarily to target the serotonergic system. Treatment with PCPA and MDMA delayed time to pupation and eclosion. The developmental rate was investigated with a survival analysis statistical approach that is unique for Drosophila studies. Locomotion and eating were reduced in animals exposed to MDMA or PCPA. Sensitivity to exogenously applied 5‐HT on an evoked sensory–central nervous system (CNS)–motor circuit showed that the CNS is sensitive to 5‐HT but that when depleted of 5‐HT by PCPA a decreased sensitivity occurred. A diet with MDMA produced an enhanced response to exogenous 5‐HT on the central circuit. Larvae eating MDMA from the first to third instar did not show a reduction in 5‐HT within the CNS; however, eating PCPA reduced 5‐HT as well as dopamine content as measured by high performance liquid chromatography from larval brains. As the heart serves as a good bioindex of 5‐HT exposure, it was used in larvae fed PCPA and MDMA but no significant effects occurred with exogenous 5‐HT. In summary, the action of these pharmacological compounds altered larval behaviors and development. PCPA treatment changed the sensitivity in the CNS to 5‐HT, suggesting that 5‐HT receptor regulation is modulated by neural activity of the serotonergic neurons. The actions of acute MDMA exposure suggest a 5‐HT agonist action or possible dumping of 5‐HT from neurons.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin | 2000 | Experimental study | |
| Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) cause selective ablation of serotonergic axon terminals in forebrain: immunocytochemical evidence for neurotoxicity Rat brain | 1988 | Experimental study | |
| The molecular mechanism of "ecstasy" [3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)]: serotonin transporters are targets for MDMA-induced serotonin release. Human platelet plasma membrane vesicles and bovine adrenal chromaffin granule membrane... | 1992 | Laboratory study | |
| Oxytocin-dependent reopening of a social reward learning critical period with MDMA | 2019 | Experimental study | |
| Effects of certain hallucinogenic amphetamine analogs on the release of [3H]-serotonin from rat brain synaptosomes Rat whole brain synaptosomes | 1982 | Experimental study |