A study of the effect of a single neurotoxic dose of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") on the subsequent long-term behaviour of rats in the plus maze and open field.
BACKGROUND
Decreased 5-HT function has been shown to induce behaviour consistent with an "anxiolytic" effect. Administration of a single dose of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy" 12.5 mg/kg IP) to rats results in prolonged damage to central serotonergic nerve terminals. Thus we wished to assess whether an MDMA-induced lesion may have longer-term behavioural consequences.


OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to examine the behaviour of MDMA-pretreated and control animals in the elevated plus-maze and open field at a number of time-points, up to 80 days, after the administration of a single neurotoxic dose of MDMA (12.5 mg/kg IP).


RESULTS
MDMA-pretreated Dark Agouti rats demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in anxiety-related behaviour, compared to saline-pretreated control rats, in both the elevated plus-maze and open field when the rats were tested on day 73 (open field) and day 80 (plus maze) after MDMA administration.


CONCLUSIONS
The behavioural consequences of a single neurotoxic dose of MDMA can be demonstrated over 2 months after administration of the compound, thereby indicating that long-term adaptive changes occur within the brain following the neurodegeneration of 5-HT neurones produced by this recreationally used drug.
Mechan
Annis O
AO
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK.
Moran
Paula M
PM
Elliott
MartinJ
M
Young
Andrew J
AJ
Joseph
Michael H
MH
Green
RichardA
R
D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D013995:Time
D009498:Neurotoxins; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine