3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") and its stereoisomers as reinforcers in rhesus monkeys: serotonergic involvement.
BACKGROUND
The reinforcing effects of MDMA and its enantiomers have not been extensively characterized in laboratory animals.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether MDMA and its stereoisomers would be self-administered intravenously by rhesus monkeys ( Macaca mulatta), and to assess the effects of serotonin(2) receptor antagonists on MDMA-maintained responding.


METHODS
Four adult male rhesus monkeys were maintained on a fixed ratio 10, time-out 60-s schedule for 0.01 mg/kg cocaine or saline injections. Racemic MDMA and its stereoisomers, and racemic methamphetamine were periodically substituted for cocaine or saline. In subsequent antagonist experiments, five adult rhesus monkeys (three male, two female) were maintained on a multiple dose fixed ratio 30, time-out 45-s schedule for cocaine or saline injections. Racemic MDMA and its enantiomers were periodically substituted for cocaine or saline, with or without a pre-session injection of the serotonin(2) receptor antagonists ketanserin or MDL100907.


RESULTS
In the initial self-administration experiments, MDMA and its stereoisomers generated "inverted U"-shaped self-administration curves across the dose range tested. Racemic MDMA doses between 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg per injection, S(+)-MDMA doses between 0.003 and 0.1 mg/kg per injection, and R(-)-MDMA doses between 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg per injection engendered more responding than saline; however, no dose of any form of MDMA maintained as much behavior as cocaine or methamphetamine. In subsequent antagonist experiments, pretreatments with 0.1 or 0.3 mg/kg ketanserin or MDL100907 attenuated responding for S(+)-MDMA, and completely abolished responding for R(-)-MDMA, but did not affect cocaine-maintained behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
MDMA and its stereoisomers serve as reinforcers in rhesus monkeys. We suggest that stimulation of 5-HT(2A) receptors is integral to the reinforcing effects of MDMA.
Fantegrossi
William E
WE
Department of Psychology (Biopsychology Program), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1109, USA.
Ullrich
Thomas
T
Rice
Kenner C
KC
Woods
James H
JH
Winger
Gail
G
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine