Acute and long-term effects of a single dose of MDMA on aggression in Dark Agouti rats
Eszter Kirilly, Anita Benkő, Linda Ferrington, Rómeó D. Andó, Paul A. Kelly, György Bagdy
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology August 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1017/s146114570500581x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Male Dark Agouti rats |
| Interventions | MDMA CGS-12066A CP-94 253 |
| Dose | 15 mg/kg i.p. for MDMA; 5 mg/kg i.p. for CGS-12066A and CP-94,253 |
| Duration | Single dose with testing 21 days later; acute effects also assessed |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Paroxetine Impulsivity Pharmacology Aggression Neurotoxicity Forebrain Biting Endocrinology |
| Citations | 26 |
| Key findings | Aggressive behavior and the acute anti-aggressive effects of MDMA and 5-HT1B agonists remained intact three weeks after a single dose of MDMA, despite significant damage to the serotonergic system. |
Abstract
MDMA causes selective depletion of serotonergic terminals in experimental animals and the consequent decrease in synaptic 5-HT may, inter alia, increase impulsivity. To study the effects of MDMA upon brain function, the behaviour of male Dark Agouti rats exposed to MDMA (15 mg/kg i.p.), two 5-HT1B agonists (CGS-12066A and CP-94,253, both 5 mg/kg i.p.) or saline were investigated in the resident-intruder test. Studies were performed in drug-naive rats and also in rats exposed to MDMA (15 mg/kg i.p.) 21 d earlier. In parallel experiments the functional neuroanatomy of MDMA effects were assessed using 2-deoxyglucose imaging of local cerebral metabolic rate of glucose utilization (LCMRGlu) and neurotoxicity was assessed by measuring [3H]paroxetine binding. There was no significant difference in aggressive behaviour (biting, boxing, wrestling and their latencies) between drug-naive rats and rats previously exposed to MDMA 21 d earlier, despite reduced social behaviour, decreased LCMRGlu in several brain areas involved in aggression, and reductions in paroxetine binding by 30-60% in the forebrain. CGS-12066A, CP-94,253 and acute MDMA produced marked decreases in aggressive behaviours, especially in biting, boxing and kicking found in drug-naive rats. In animals previously exposed to the drug, acute anti-aggressive effects of MDMA were, in general, preserved as were MDMA-induced increases in LCMRGlu. Our studies provide evidence that in the resident-intruder test, where social isolation is a requirement, aggressive behaviour and acute anti-aggressive effects of MDMA and 5-HT1B receptor agonists remain intact 3 wk after a single dose of the drug despite significant damage to the serotonergic system.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- The Prosocial Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): Controlled Studies in Humans and Laboratory Animals Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 25, 2015
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in Psychiatry Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology October 10, 2018
- Persistent cerebrovascular effects of MDMA and acute responses to the drug European Journal of Neuroscience July 1, 2006
- A Systematic Review of the MDMA Model to Address Social Impairment in Autism. Current Neuropharmacology 2021
- Effects of para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA) on agonistic encounters between male mice. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior April 2018
and 4 more in the library
Cites 21
- Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin Synapse 2000
- Neurotoxicity of the psychedelic amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1987
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine destroy serotonin terminals in rat brain: quantification of neurodegeneration by measurement of [3H]paroxetine-labeled serotonin uptake sites. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics September 1, 1987
- Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans Addiction May 1, 1994
and 16 more in the library