Differential behavioral outcomes of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA-ecstasy) in anxiety-like responses in mice
V. Ferraz-De-Paula, D. Stankevicius, A. Ribeiro, M.l. Pinheiro, E.c. Rodrigues-Costa, J.c. Florio, S.f. Lapachinske, R.l.m. Moreau, J. Palermo-Neto
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research September 4, 2013 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2011000500008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 70 |
| Population | 2-month-old Balb/c male mice (25-35 g) |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 0.2, 1.0, 5.0, 8.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg |
| Topics | MDMA Anxiety |
| Keywords | Corticosterone Open field Plus maze Hole board Predator odor test |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key findings | Acute MDMA at 10 mg/kg produced an anxiogenic-like effect in mice, evidenced by increased corticosterone and striatal dopamine, despite motor stimulation that impaired some behavioral anxiety measures. |
Abstract
Anxiolytic and anxiogenic-like behavioral outcomes have been reported for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) in rodents. In the present experiment, we attempted to identify behavioral, hormonal and neurochemical outcomes of MDMA treatment to clarify its effects on anxiety-related responses in 2-month-old Balb/c male mice (25-35 g; N = 7-10 mice/group). The behavioral tests used were open field, elevated plus maze, hole board, and defensive behavior against predator odor. Moreover, we also determined striatal dopamine and dopamine turnover, and serum corticosterone levels. MDMA was injected ip at 0.2, 1.0, 5.0, 8.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg. MDMA at 10 mg/kg induced the following significant (P < 0.05) effects: a) a dose-dependent increase in the distance traveled and in the time spent moving in the open field; b) decreased exploratory activity in the hole board as measured by number of head dips and time spent in head dipping; c) increased number of open arm entries and increased time spent in open arm exploration in the elevated plus maze; d) increased time spent away from an aversive stimulus and decreased number of risk assessments in an aversive odor chamber; e) increased serum corticosterone levels, and f) increased striatal dopamine level and turnover. Taken together, these data suggest an anxiogenic-like effect of acute MDMA treatment, despite the fact that behavioral anxiety expression was impaired in some of the behavioral tests used as a consequence of the motor stimulating effects of MDMA.
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 | |
| MDMA in Adolescent Male Rats Adolescent male rats (postnatal day 45) | 2006 | Controlled experiment | n = 12 |
| Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Rodents | 2024 | Review | |
| Methylone is a rapid-acting neuroplastogen with less off-target activity than MDMA Rats | 2024 | Preclinical study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 20, 2024
- Of mice and men on MDMA: a translational comparison of the neuropsychobiological effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ('Ecstasy'). Brain Research November 14, 2019
- Ritanserin-sensitive receptors modulate the prosocial and the anxiolytic effect of MDMA derivatives, DOB and PMA, in zebrafish. Behavioural Brain Research November 1, 2016
Cites 3
- Which neuroreceptors mediate the subjective effects of MDMA in humans? A summary of mechanistic studies Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental December 1, 2001
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’): a stressor on the immune system Immunology March 30, 2004
- Immunomodulating Activity of MDMA Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences September 1, 2000