Treadmill running restores MDMA-mediated hyperthermia prevented by inhibition of the dorsomedial hypothalamus.
Dmitry V Zaretsky, Maria V Zaretskaia, Pamela J Durant, Daniel E. Rusyniak
Brain Research May 22, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.02.037 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Interventions | Muscimol artificial CSF MDMA |
| Dose | Muscimol 80 pmol/100 nl; MDMA 7.5 mg/kg, i.v. |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Dorsomedial hypothalamus Heat stroke Hyperthermia Locomotion |
| Key findings | A fixed treadmill exercise load abolished the decreases in temperature and mortality previously seen with DMH inhibition in freely moving rats given MDMA. The authors conclude that locomotion mediated by neurons in the DMH is critical to the development of hyperthermia from MDMA. |
Abstract
The contribution of exercise to hyperthermia mediated by MDMA is not known. We recently showed that inhibiting the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) attenuated spontaneous locomotion and hyperthermia and prevented deaths in rats given MDMA in a warm environment. The goal of this study was to confirm that restoring locomotion through a treadmill would reverse these effects thereby confirming that locomotion mediated by the DMH contributes to MDMA-mediated hyperthermia. Rats were randomized to receive bilateral microinjections, into the region of the DMH, of muscimol (80pmol/100nl) or artificial CSF followed by a systemic dose of either MDMA (7.5mg/kg, i.v.) or saline. Immediately after the systemic injection, rats were placed on a motorized treadmill maintained at 32°C. Rats were exercised at a fixed speed (10m/min) until their core temperature reached 41°C. Our results showed that a fixed exercise load abolished the decreases in temperature and mortality, seen previously with inhibition of the DMH in freely moving rats. Therefore, locomotion mediated by neurons in the DMH is critical to the development of hyperthermia from MDMA.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The combination of exercise and psychedelics for the treatment of major depressive disorder Discover Mental Health March 7, 2026
- Wheel running increases hyperthermia and mortality rate following 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in rats bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
- Potentiation of Ecstasy-induced hyperthermia and FAT/CD36 expression in chronically exercised animals. Temperature March 30, 2016
Cites 10
- Amphetamine-type central nervous system stimulants release norepinephrine more potently than they release dopamine and serotonin Synapse 2000
- “Partying” Hard: Party Style, Motives for and Effects of MDMA Use at Rave Parties Substance Use & Misuse 2005
- The role of monoamines in the changes in body temperature induced by 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) and its derivatives British Journal of Pharmacology March 3, 2010
- Carvedilol reverses hyperthermia and attenuates rhabdomyolysis induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) in an animal model* Critical Care Medicine June 1, 2005
- Microinjection of muscimol into the dorsomedial hypothalamus suppresses MDMA-evoked sympathetic and behavioral responses. Brain Research August 21, 2008
and 5 more in the library