Repeated intermittent MDMA binges reduce DAT density in mice and SERT density in rats in reward regions of the adolescent brain.
Anna M S Kindlundh-Högberg, Helgi B Schiöth, Per Svenningsson
Neurotoxicology November 2007 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2007.07.002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adolescent mice and rats |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 3x5 mg/(kg day) given 3h apart, every 7th day for 4 weeks |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Measures | Open-field test, autoradiographic ligand-binding to dopamine and serotonin transporters |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Repeated intermittent MDMA binges increased horizontal activity in both species and center activity in rats only. DAT binding decreased in mouse reward regions, while SERT binding decreased in rat nucleus accumbens shell, indicating species-specific transporter regulation. |
Abstract
The popular recreational drug, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is often taken as intermittent binges by adolescents at dance clubs. The neurobiological mechanisms that underlie MDMA-induced psychiatric conditions are still poorly understood. In the present study, mimicking adolescent patterns of administration, repeated intermittent MDMA binges (3x5 mg/(kg day) given 3h apart, every 7th day for 4 weeks) were given to adolescent mice and rats. Behavioral responses in the open-field and autoradiographic ligand-binding to dopamine (DAT) and serotonin (SERT) transporters in reward regions of the brain were measured. In the open-field, total horizontal activity (HA) was significantly increased in both mice and rats following the first and third weekly administered MDMA binge. However, rats, but not mice, exhibited an enhanced activity in the centre of the open-field arena, indicating on reduced anxiety or enhanced impulsivity, which is known to be associated with altered serotonin activity. Specific binding of DAT, but not SERT, was significantly reduced in the mouse AcbSh and CPU using in vitro autoradiography. On the contrary, SERT, but not DAT density was significantly reduced in the AcbSh of rats. Taken together, our data provide evidence for differential regulation of DAT and SERT densities in reward-related brain regions of rats and mice after long-term intermittent administration of MDMA.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 19
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) impairs the extinction and reconsolidation of fear memory in rats. Physiology & Behavior February 1, 2019
- MPTP‐induced dopamine neuron degeneration and glia activation is potentiated in MDMA‐pretreated mice Movement Disorders September 20, 2013
- Development and Characterization of a Novel Animal Model of Intermittent MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Exposure during Adolescence Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences October 1, 2008
- Extensive neuroadaptive changes in cortical gene-transcript expressions of the glutamate system in response to repeated intermittent MDMA administration in adolescent rats BMC Neuroscience April 17, 2008
- Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 20, 2024
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Cites 9
- Comparison of the monoamine transporters from human and mouse in their sensitivities to psychostimulant drugs BMC Pharmacology March 3, 2006
- Carrier‐Mediated Release of Serotonin by 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: Implications for Serotonin‐Dopamine Interactions Journal of Neurochemistry 1996
- A study of the mechanisms involved in the neurotoxic action of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) on dopamine neurones in mouse brain British Journal of Pharmacology December 1, 2001
- A developmental comparison of the neurobehavioral effects of ecstasy (MDMA) Neurotoxicology and Teratology October 21, 2006
- Psychedelic drugs: the ups and downs of ecstasy. Nature May 1, 2004
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