Experience-dependent changes in temperature and behavioral activity induced by MDMA
María E. Reverón, Esther Y. Maier, Christine L. Duvauchelle
Physiology & Behavior August 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.06.021 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Intervention | MDMA self-administration |
| Dose | approx. 2.0-7.0 mg/kg/day |
| Duration | 20 days of daily 2-h operant sessions |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Self-administration Locomotor activity Saline Behavioral sensitization Hyperthermia Anesthesia Pharmacology |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key points | Rats that self-administered MDMA initially showed hypothermia and later hyperthermia, along with a progressive increase in locomotor activity over 20 sessions. |
Abstract
Hyperthermia and hyperlocomotor activity are commonly reported acute effects of high dose, experimenter-delivered 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The current investigation was performed to determine short- to long-term physiological and behavioral changes induced by moderate intake MDMA self-administration. In the present study, rats self-administered MDMA (approx. 2.0-7.0 mg/kg/day) across 20 days during daily 2-h operant sessions. Locomotor activity was assessed during MDMA self-administration sessions and core temperatures were recorded before and after each session. Findings of the first several sessions showed core temperatures significantly decreased after MDMA self-administration compared to baseline and to a control group that self-administered saline during operant sessions. As sessions proceeded, the MDMA-induced hypothermic response diminished and core temperatures normalized, then increased during the last few sessions. Also, locomotor activity during MDMA self-administration sessions was initially equivalent to saline level activity, but increased by day 8 to significantly greater levels. Our findings demonstrate experience-dependent changes after voluntary administration of MDMA that are clearly observable in temperature regulation and behavioral activity.