Auditory stimuli enhance MDMA-conditioned reward and MDMA-induced nucleus accumbens dopamine, serotonin and locomotor responses.
Allison A. Feduccia, Christine L. Duvauchelle
Brain Research Bulletin October 22, 2008 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2008.07.007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Interventions | MDMA Music White noise |
| Dose | 1.5 mg/kg, s.c. (conditioning and challenge); 0.5 mg/kg/infusion, i.v. (self-administration) |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Key findings | Conditioned place preference to MDMA (1.5 mg/kg) developed only when white noise accompanied drug trials, not music or no sound. After intravenous MDMA self-administration, an MDMA challenge increased nucleus accumbens dopamine and serotonin, with the highest levels in animals exposed to music during testing. The authors conclude that paired sensory stimuli can engage drug-activated systems and enhance neurochemical and behavioral responses to MDMA. |
Abstract
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), also known as ecstasy, is a popular drug often taken in environments rich in audio and visual stimulation, such as clubs and dance parties. The present experiments were conducted to test the notion that auditory stimulation influences the rewarding effects of MDMA. In Experiment 1, a conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure was conducted in which rats received MDMA (1.5mg/kg, s.c.) in a distinctive environment accompanied by music (65-75dB), white noise (70dB), or no added sound. Animals were pretreated with saline on alternating days in an alternate environment. Results revealed CPP in animals exposed to white noise during MDMA trials. For Experiment 2, rats from Experiment 1 had access to operant levers that delivered intravenous MDMA (0.5mg/kg/inj) or saline (0.1ml) on alternate days in the presence or absence of the same types of auditory stimuli as previously experienced. After three each of MDMA and non-reinforced (saline) sessions, animals were tested for NAcc DA and 5-HT responses to MDMA (1.5mg/kg) or saline under the same stimulus conditions. Findings revealed that NAcc DA and 5-HT increased after an MDMA injection, and both DA and 5-HT were significantly highest in animals exposed to music during the test session. These results indicate that paired sensorial stimuli can engage the same systems activated during drug use and enhance neurochemical and behavioral responses to MDMA administration.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on MDMA, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
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- Progress and promise for the MDMA drug development program. Psychopharmacology November 20, 2017
- Psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of trauma-related psychopathology International Review of Psychiatry April 3, 2021
- Altered brain activity and functional connectivity after MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022
- Effects of acute social stress on the conditioned place preference induced by MDMA in adolescent and adult mice Behavioural Pharmacology September 1, 2014
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- Reinforcing effects of certain serotonin-releasing amphetamine derivatives. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior January 1996
and 2 more in the library