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Enhanced learning following a single, acute dose of MDA.

A G Romano, John A. Harvey

Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior April 1993 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(93)90032-o (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Population Rabbits
Intervention Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)
Dose 10 and 20 micromol/kg (1.79 and 3.58 mg/kg, respectively)
Duration Single session; retention assessed 48 h later
Key findings MDA at 10 micromol/kg enhanced acquisition of the classically conditioned nictitating membrane response in rabbits, and the learning was retained 48 hours later in a drug-free state, while 20 micromol/kg had no effect on acquisition or retention. The 10 micromol/kg dose also increased unconditioned response amplitude, which the authors suggest may reflect enhanced afferent neural transmission.

Abstract

The behavioral effects of a single, acute dose of methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) were assessed using the rabbit nictitating membrane (NM) preparation. Acquisition of the classically conditioned NM response was carried out in a single session under MDA at doses of 10 and 20 mumol/kg (1.79 and 3.58 mg/kg, respectively) and retention was assessed during a drug-free state 48 h later. In agreement with previous reports, MDA at a dose of 10 mumol/kg enhanced acquisition of the conditioned NM response and learning was retained in the nondrug state. However, MDA at a dose of 20 mumol/kg failed to affect either acquisition or retention. In further agreement with previous reports, MDA at 10 mumol/kg facilitated the amplitude of the unconditioned response during unpaired stimulus presentations. It is suggested that this enhanced motor response may be due to enhanced neural transmission in the afferent limb of the unconditioned reflex arc.

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