Some behavioural and neurochemical aspects of subacute (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine administration in rats.
Mairéad G. McNamara, J P Kelly, Brian E. Leonard
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior November 1995 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(95)00206-c (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg IP twice daily for 4 days |
| Duration | 4 days of drug administration |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | Subacute MDMA at 10 and 20 mg/kg increased locomotor activity over four days, but did not alter open field or passive avoidance behavior, 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia, or basal corticosterone. MDMA depleted serotonin and 5-HIAA in frontal cortex and amygdala and elevated dopamine and noradrenaline in hippocampus. The authors suggest the behavioral profile, apart from locomotion, did not reflect these neurotransmitter changes. |
Abstract
(+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy"), an increasingly popular recreational drug, is known to damage brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) neurons, whilst also having a less pronounced effect on the dopaminergic system. Treatment with MDMA results in an increased locomotor activity, elevated basal serum corticosterone concentrations, decreased exploratory activity, and changes in body temperature. The aim of this study was to examine the dose related effects of subacute administration of MDMA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg IP twice daily for 4 days) on home cage locomotor activity, "open field" and "step-down passive avoidance" behaviours, changes due to an 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) challenge, and on plasma corticosterone and brain neurotransmitter concentrations. Total locomotor activity counts were significantly increased by both 10 and 20 mg/kg MDMA for the 4 days of drug administration. There were no significant differences seen in the "open field" or "step down passive avoidance" behaviour, in the 8-OH-DPAT induced hypothermia, or in basal serum corticosterone concentrations. MDMA caused a significant depletion of both 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the frontal cortex and amygdala and a significant elevation of dopamine and noradrenaline in the hippocampus. Apart from the increase in locomotor activity following subacute administration, the observed behaviour of the MDMA treated rats would not appear to reflect the substantial changes in brain biogenic amine neurotransmitters.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 29
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) neurotoxicity in rats: a reappraisal of past and present findings Psychopharmacology March 15, 2006
- Behavioral sensitization and cross-sensitization between methylphenidate amphetamine, and 3-4, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in female SD rats European Journal of Pharmacology April 28, 2011
- Context‐dependent behavioural and neuronal sensitization in striatum to MDMA (ecstasy) administration in rats European Journal of Neuroscience July 1, 2006
- (±)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy") treatment modulates expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in multiple regions of adult rat brain. The Journal of Comparative Neurology August 1, 2012
- 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 12
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- (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates JAMA July 1, 1988
- Amphetamine derivatives induce locomotor hyperactivity by acting as indirect serotonin agonists. Psychopharmacology 1991
- Selective cross-tolerance to 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor-mediated temperature and corticosterone responses. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior August 1, 1989
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