Self-administration of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) by rhesus monkeys.
Four rhesus monkeys trained to press levers for intravenous cocaine infusions were tested with saline and (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 3-300 micrograms/kg per infusion) during daily 1-h sessions. From four to over nine times more cocaine infusions were obtained than saline infusions during baseline sessions. When MDMA was substituted for cocaine, at least one dose was self-administered in 3 of the 4 monkeys at rates that exceeded the range of saline infusions. In fact, two of the monkeys self-administered a dose of MDMA at a greater rate than cocaine. These results demonstrate that MDMA can serve as a positive reinforcer for rhesus monkeys and, taken together with other preclinical behavioral studies, suggest a potential for recreational use of MDMA by humans.
D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; D012646:Self Administration
D000662:Amphetamines; D015104:3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine; D003042:Cocaine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine