Pro‐social effects of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine in mice
Daniel Walker Curry, Kevin Sean Murnane, Leonard Lee Howell
The FASEB Journal April 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.661.6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice |
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Dose | 3–30 mg/kg, IP |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Key findings | MDMA increased the duration of time pairs of mice spent in close proximity, an effect the authors say is consistent with previously reported effects of MDMA in rats. The authors propose that understanding the mechanisms behind this pro-social effect may offer insight into disorders with social deficits and help identify treatment targets. |
Abstract
The drug 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) has been shown to increase feelings of closeness and empathy in humans. Despite evidence of MDMA‐induced neurotoxicity, these unusual pro‐social effects have continued to generate interest in the drug's therapeutic potential. Therefore, determining the mechanisms by which MDMA engenders these effects may allow for the development of novel, pro‐social medications that do not exhibit neurotoxicity. A number of genetic and molecular techniques that may be critical for understanding these mechanisms are primarily available in mice, yet the effects of MDMA on murine social behavior have not previously been described. To this end, in the present study, we characterized the effects of (+/−)‐MDMA in mice across a range of doses (3–30mg/kg, IP) on dyadic social behavior when mice in a pair were treated with the same dose of MDMA. We found that MDMA increased the duration of time the pair spent in close proximity, an effect that is consistent with the previously reported effects of MDMA in rats. In subsequent experiments, we will use selective receptor antagonists to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying this effect. Understanding these mechanisms may provide insight into the etiology of disorders exhibiting social deficits and help identify targets for their treatment. This study was supported with funds from the USPHS: DA020645 and RR00165.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.