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One day access to a running wheel reduces self-administration of D-methamphetamine, MDMA and methylone.

Shawn. M. Aarde, Michelle L Miller, Kevin M Creehan, Sophia A. Vandewater, Michael A. Taffe

Drug and Alcohol Dependence June 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.016 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Preclinical crossover experiment (rat intravenous self-administration study) Peer reviewed
Population Rats trained to intravenously self-administer D-methamphetamine, MDMA, or methylone
Duration Approximately 22 hours of wheel access in the home cage before self-administration sessions
Topics MDMA
Keywords Bathsalts Exercise Reinforcement Self-administration Stimulant
Key findings About 22 hours of home-cage wheel access before self-administration sessions significantly decreased intravenous self-administration of D-methamphetamine, MDMA, and methylone. The size of each rat's decrease in drug intake did not correlate with how much it used the wheel. The authors argue the effect is immediate, requiring no weeks of prior exercise, and predict exercise programs can reduce stimulant use even in individuals with no exercise history and established drug-taking patterns.

Abstract

Exercise influences drug craving and consumption in humans and drug self-administration in laboratory animals, but the effects can be variable. Improved understanding of how exercise affects drug intake or craving would enhance applications of exercise programs to human drug users attempting cessation. Rats were trained in the intravenous self-administration (IVSA) of D-methamphetamine (METH; 0.05 mg/kg/inf), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 0.5 mg/kg/inf) or methylone (0.5 mg/kg/inf). Once IVSA was established, the effect of ∼ 22 h of wheel access in the home cage on subsequent drug taking was assessed in a two cohort crossover design. Provision of home cage wheel access during the day prior to IVSA sessions significantly decreased the self-administration of METH, MDMA and methylone. At the individual level, there was no correlation between the amount a rat used the wheel and the size of the individual's decrease in drug intake. Wheel access can reduce self-administration of a variety of psychomotor stimulants. It does so immediately, i.e., without a need for weeks of exercise prior to drug access. This study therefore indicates that future mechanistic investigations should focus on acute effects of exercise. In sum, the results predict that exercise programs can be used to decrease stimulant drug use in individuals even with no exercise history and an established drug taking pattern.

Comparable studies

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

Study Year Design Participants
Neurotoxicity of the psychedelic amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Rats (implied by typical neurochemical study context) 1987 Experimental study
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine destroy serotonin terminals in rat brain: quantification of neurodegeneration by measurement of [3H]paroxetine-labeled serotonin uptake sites. Rat brain 1987 Animal experiment
Comparison of the monoamine transporters from human and mouse in their sensitivities to psychostimulant drugs Human and mouse dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters expressed in cells 2006 In vitro laboratory study
Small Changes in Ambient Temperature Cause Large Changes in 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity and Core Body Temperature in the Rat Rats 1998 Experimental study
Altered Serotonin Innervation Patterns in the Forebrain of Monkeys Treated with (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Seven Years Previously: Factors Influencing Abnormal Recovery Squirrel monkeys treated with MDMA 1999 Observational cohort

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