Heat increases MDMA-enhanced NAcc 5-HT and body temperature, but not MDMA self-administration.
Allison A. Feduccia, Nundhun Kongovi, Christine L. Duvauchelle
European Neuropsychopharmacology December 2010 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2010.08.009 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 3.0 mg/kg, i.v. (challenge test) |
| Duration | 4-week daily self-administration sessions plus an MDMA challenge test |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Key findings | MDMA self-administration rates were comparable between thermal conditions, but in the heated environment, MDMA-stimulated serotonin responses and core temperature were significantly greater than at room temperature, while dopamine responses were not. The authors propose that exaggerated serotonin responses may lead to serotonin depletion, associated with escalated Ecstasy use and neural dysfunction. |
Abstract
There is a concern that hot environments enhance adverse effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy"). In this study, long-term (4-weeks) daily MDMA self-administration sessions and an MDMA Challenge test were conducted with rats under normal and high thermal conditions (23° or 32°C). During MDMA self-administration sessions, activity and body temperature were increased by heat or MDMA experience, while MDMA self-administration rates increased with experience, but were comparable between thermal conditions. At the MDMA Challenge test (3.0 mg/kg, i.v.), in vivo microdialysis showed that nucleus accumbens serotonin (NAcc 5-HT) and dopamine (DA) responses were significantly increased in both thermal conditions. In the heated environment, MDMA-stimulated 5-HT responses and core temperature (but not DA) were significantly greater than at room temperature. Though the heated environment did not acutely boost MDMA intake, exaggerated NAcc 5-HT responses to MDMA may result in 5-HT depletion; a condition associated with Ecstasy use escalation and neural dysfunctions altering mood and cognition.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Intravenous self-administration of mephedrone, methylone and MDMA in female rats Neuropharmacology January 17, 2015
- Genetic Deletion of Trace Amine 1 Receptors Reveals Their Role in Auto-Inhibiting the Actions of Ecstasy (MDMA) Journal of Neuroscience November 23, 2011
- High ambient temperature facilitates the acquisition of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) self-administration bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
- Assessment of the Reinforcing Properties of Orally Administered MDMA ('Ecstasy') in Rats 2010
- Predicting the Abuse Liability of Entactogen-Class, New and Emerging Psychoactive Substances via Preclinical Models of Drug Self-administration. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2017
and 3 more in the library
Cites 24
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and 19 more in the library