title: 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) impairs eight-arm radial maze performance and arm entry pattern in rats.
abstract: The recreational use of 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) in humans has been associated with memory impairment. The present study examined whether ecstasy impairs short- and long-term working memory and the pattern of arm entries in rats tested in the 8-arm radial maze with a 2-hr delay. After completing the training session, the rats were given a single dose of ecstasy (1, 2, or 3 mg/kg ip) 20 min before the test. The highest dose slightly affected short-term working memory. Under conditions of delay, there was a progressive deficit in long-term working memory, starting from 1 mg/kg. Under both test conditions, 2 and 3 mg/kg flattened the pattern of arm entry. None of the doses caused hyperlocomotion or stereotypy in the radial maze. These findings suggest that acute ecstasy mainly affects the long-term components of working memory and disrupts the pattern of arm entry in a way similar to serotonergic agents.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Medical Toxicology, University of Milan, Italy.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Braida
authors: Morena
authors: M
authors: Pozzi
authors: Ramona
authors: R
authors: Cavallini
authors: Mariaelvina
authors: M
authors: Sala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019956:Stereotypic Movement Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens