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Methylenedioxymethamphetamine induces opposite changes in central pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in rats.

Norberto Aguirre, J L Galbete, Berta Lasheras, J Del Río

European Journal of Pharmacology July 1, 1995 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(95)00303-3 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Animal experimental study Peer reviewed
Population Rat brain tissue (frontal cortex and brain stem region containing the dorsal raphe nucleus)
Interventions 3 'ecstasy')
Measures [3H]8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ([3H]8-OH-DPAT) binding, [3H]paroxetine binding, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) content
Topics Serotonin MDMA
Keywords Raphe nuclei Frontal lobe Dendrites Synapses Animals Rats, wistar N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Hydroxyindoleacetic acid Receptors, serotonin Serotonin agents Time factors Male
Key findings Repeated MDMA administration reduced 5-HT1A receptor density in the brain stem (dorsal raphe region), while both single and repeated MDMA increased or tended to increase 5-HT1A receptor number in the frontal cortex, with the effect more marked after repeated dosing. Both schedules reduced frontal cortex serotonin content and [3H]paroxetine binding but not in the brain stem.

Abstract

The present study examined the short- and long-term effects of single and repeated administration of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') on somatodendritic and postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors of the rat brain. [3H]8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ([3H]8-OH-DPAT) was used to label 5-HT1A receptors in the brain stem region containing the dorsal raphe nucleus and in the frontal cortex. As expected, both schedules of treatment reduced the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) content and [3H]paroxetine binding in the frontal cortex but not in the brain stem. Multiple but not single MDMA administration significantly reduced 5-HT1A receptor density in the selected brain stem region. In the frontal cortex, both MDMA treatments increased or tended to increase 5-HT1A receptor number, the effect being more marked after repeated drug administration.

Comparable studies

Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.

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